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Hubble/GALEX/Spitzer Composite Image of M81

Hubble/GALEX/Spitzer Composite Image of M81
This image combines data from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) missions. The GALEX ultraviolet data were from the far-UV portion of the spectrum (135 to 175 nanometers). The Spitzer infrared data were taken with the IRAC 4 detector (8 microns). The Hubble data were taken at the blue portion of the spectrum.

About the Object

  • R.A. Position
    R.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.
    09h 55m 33.16s
  • Dec. Position
    Dec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.
    69° 3' 55.09"
  • Constellation
    ConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.
    Ursa Major
  • Distance
    DistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.
    Approximately 11.6 million light-years (3.6 megaparsecs)

About the Data

  • Instrument
    InstrumentThe science instrument used to produce the data.
    HST>ACS/WFC, GALEX, and SST>IRAC/4 detector
  • Object Name
    Object NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.
    M81, NGC 3031, Bode's Galaxy
  • Object Description
    Object DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.
    Spiral Galaxy
  • Release Date
    May 28, 2007
  • Science Release
    Hubble Photographs Grand Design Spiral Galaxy M81
    Read the release
  • Credits
    Hubble data: NASA, ESA, and A. Zezas (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics); GALEX data: NASA, JPL-Caltech, GALEX Team, J. Huchra et al. (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics); Spitzer data: NASA/JPL/Caltech/Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

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Related Images & Videos

Hubble Photographs Grand Design Spiral Galaxy M81

Hubble Photographs Grand Design Spiral Galaxy M81

The sharpest image ever taken of the large "grand design" spiral galaxy M81 is being released today at the American Astronomical Society Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. This beautiful galaxy is tilted at an oblique angle on to our line of sight, giving a "birds-eye view" of the...

Detailed Images of Spiral Galaxy M81

Detailed Images of Spiral Galaxy M81

Hubble's high-resolution images of distinct regions contained within M81 illustrate various structures contained within the spiral galaxy. [Left] The inner bulge and nucleus of M81 are relatively structure free, except for fine dust lanes that wind into the center. Several...

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 1

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 1

Inner bulge and nucleus of M81.

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 2

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 2

Southern arm of M81 including a chain of HII regions.

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 3

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 3

Interspersed within the active spiral arms of M81 are areas of new star formation. Here, OB Associations of hot blue stars have formed.

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 4

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 4

Bulge-disk transition in M81 and chain of HII regions.

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 5

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 5

HII shell of M81 and background galaxies.

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 6

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 6

Southern extremity of the galaxy M81.

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 7

Spiral Galaxy M81 Details 7

Background group of galaxies.

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Details

Last Updated
Feb 20, 2025
Contact
Media

Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov

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