Messier 82, the “Cigar” galaxy: a stunning image – 19 Mar. 2025
We imaged to splendid Messier 82 galaxy, nicknamed “Cigar” because of its shape. We are pleased to share our picture with you.
Messier 82, aka NGC 3034. 19 Mar. 2025.
The detailed image above comes from the average of 13, 300-second exposures, unguided, remotely taken with the “Elena” (PlaneWave 17″ + Paramount MEII + SBIG STL-6303E) robotic unit available as part of the Virtual Telescope Project and installed in Manciano, Italy, under the best, darkest skies of the Italian peninsula.
Messier 82, also known as NGC 3034 and commonly referred to as the “Cigar Galaxy” due to its elongated shape, is among the most peculiar and dynamically active galaxies in our cosmic neighborhood. Located approximately 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major, M82 offers a spectacular view, particularly when observed with high-resolution instruments such as those employed by the Virtual Telescope Project. This recent image captures the remarkable detail of a galaxy undergoing intense star formation, making it one of the most compelling targets for both amateur and professional astronomers.
Messier 82 was discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1774 and was later included in Charles Messier’s renowned catalogue of nebulous objects. Even through small telescopes, it reveals a distinctly elongated shape, which earned it the popular nickname “Cigar Galaxy.”
M82 is classified as a starburst galaxy, one currently experiencing a star formation rate significantly higher than that of typical spiral galaxies such as our own Milky Way. This elevated activity is believed to have been triggered by gravitational interactions with its nearby companion, the prominent spiral galaxy Messier 81 (M81). The tidal forces resulting from this close encounter compressed interstellar gas and dust within M82, initiating a sustained burst of star formation that has been ongoing for tens of millions of years.
One of M82’s most iconic features is the massive outflow of gas and dust emerging perpendicularly from its galactic disk, a structure clearly visible in the present image. These outflows consist mainly of hydrogen gas heated to several million degrees, which emits strongly in the H-alpha wavelength.
Despite its relatively modest size, roughly one-third that of the Milky Way, M82 is approximately five times more luminous, especially in the infrared, due to the vigorous star-forming activity obscured by its dust clouds.
M82 has also been the site of dramatic astronomical events, such as the appearance of supernova SN 2014J, one of the closest Type Ia supernovae observed in recent decades. Discovered in January 2014, it provided a rare opportunity to study this class of phenomena in detail.
This new image from the Virtual Telescope Project highlights the intricate structure of M82’s dusty disk.
Messier 82 stands as a compelling testament to the fact that the universe is not static but a dynamic and ever-evolving realm. It invites us to probe deeper into the mechanisms of cosmic evolution and to marvel at the powerful processes that shape galaxies beyond our own.
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