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> Irregular galaxy M82 in Ursa Major

Irregular galaxy M82 in Ursa Major

author: R.Gendler/BYU/Novapix

reference: a-gax30-34014

Image Size 300 DPI: 18 * 18 cm

M82 is a prototypical irregular type galaxy located 12 million light years away in Ursa Major constellation. M82 is also the closest starburst galaxy to the Milky Way. As a starburst galaxy M82 shows a rate of star formation 10 times greater than our galaxy. Conditions for the starburst activity were believed triggered by a past close encounter with M81 between 300 and 600 million years ago.

Keywords for this photo:

2010 - ASTRONOMY - EVOLUTION - GALAXY - IRREGULAR GALAXY - M82 - NGC 3034 - STAR - STAR FORMATION - URSA MAJOR -