Messier 81

Also known as M81, Bode's Galaxy, New General Catalogue 3031

galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major

AI overview

Messier 81 is a large spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major, making it one of the brightest galaxies visible from Earth. It is scientifically important because studying its structure and behavior helps astronomers understand how galaxies form and evolve.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Distance from Earth: 3.5975
Radius: 35000
Image: M81.jpg

Show 13 more facts

catalog code: Z 0951.4+6918
Commons category: Messier 81
galaxy morphological type: SA
Commons gallery: Messier 81
time of discovery or invention: 1774-12-31
apparent magnitude: 15.130657
redshift: -0.000140
right ascension component of proper motion: -0.005
radial velocity: -42
declination: 69.06529514038
right ascension: 148.88821939854
parallax: 0.1495
declination component of proper motion: -0.019

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Article

Messier 81 (also known as NGC 3031 or Bode's Galaxy) is a grand design spiral galaxy about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. It has a D25 isophotal diameter of 29.44 kiloparsecs (96,000 light-years).

Because of its relative proximity to the Milky Way galaxy, large size, and active galactic nucleus (which harbors a 70 million M☉ supermassive black hole), Messier 81 has been studied extensively by professional astronomers. The galaxy's large size and relatively high brightness also makes it a popular target for amateur astronomers. In late February 2022, astronomers reported that M81 may be the source of FRB 20200120E, a repeating fast radio burst.