Cigar Galaxy (m82) Type, Location, Discovery

The Cigar Galaxy, known as Messier 82 (M82), is a starburst galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. M82 belongs to the M81 galaxy group and has a D₂₅ diameter of 37 kiloparsecs. Starburst activity in M82 creates thousands of new stars, triggered by a collision with neighboring galaxy M81.

M82 is classified as a starburst galaxy. The galaxy forms stars at a rate 10 times higher than the Milky Way, with its core region containing numerous massive star clusters. Some researchers classify M82 as an edge-on spiral galaxy due to its disk structure and elongated appearance when viewed from Earth.

Johann Elert Bode discovered the Cigar Galaxy in 1774 using a 2.5-inch refracting telescope. Bode’s discovery challenged the prevailing idea that the Milky Way was the only galaxy in the universe. Charles Messier confirmed Bode’s discovery and included M82 in his catalog of deep-sky objects in 1781.

M82 is located 12 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. The galaxy’s coordinates are 09h 55m 52.2s, +69° 40′ 47″. M82 measures 37,000 light-years across and contains over 30 billion stars. The Cigar Galaxy outshines the Milky Way by five times in infrared wavelengths, with its center glowing one hundred times brighter than our galaxy’s center.

What is Cigar galaxy (m82)?

Messier 82 (Cigar Galaxy) is a starburst galaxy located 12 million light-years away in Ursa Major constellation. M82 belongs to the M81 galaxy group. M82 has a D₂₅ isophotal diameter of 37 kiloparsecs. Violent starburst activity creates thousands of new stars. Collision with M81 triggered star formation, expelling gas and dust through massive winds.

M82 is known for star formation. The galaxy forms stars at a rate 10 times higher than the Milky Way, with thousands of new stars forming in its starburst regions. The core region of M82 experiences starburst activity, containing many star clusters. These star clusters appear as “starburst clumps” within the galaxy.

The Cigar Galaxy exhibits a cigar-like shape, which gives it its name. Its edge-on orientation causes the elongated appearance to observers. M82 appears as an elongated patch to the naked eye but is viewed with binoculars or a small telescope. The galaxy shines brightly in infrared wavelengths, making it one of the brightest galaxies in the infrared sky.

What type of galaxy is the Cigar galaxy?

The Cigar galaxy (M82 or Messier 82) is classified as a starburst galaxy. M82 experiences star formation triggered by interactions with neighboring galaxy M81. Starburst galaxies exhibit high rates of star birth and death. M82 possesses a shape measuring 37,000 light-years in length. M82 contains diverse stellar populations and supernovae.

The Cigar Galaxy can be classified as an edge-on spiral galaxy. M82’s disk structure and elongated appearance when viewed from Earth contribute to this classification. The Cigar Galaxy is not considered an elliptical galaxy. M82’s shape, high rate of star formation, and visible young stars throughout its structure distinguish it from the egg-shaped and older stellar population of elliptical galaxies.

Where is the Cigar galaxy located?

Cigar Galaxy (M82) is located in the constellation Ursa Major. M82 resides 12 million light-years from Earth. Astronomers observe M82 near the Bode Galaxy (M81) in the M81 Group. Coordinates for M82 are 09h 55m 52.2s, +69° 40′ 47″. M82 measures 37,000 light-years across.

Who discovered the Cigar galaxy?

Johann Elert Bode discovered the Cigar galaxy, M82, in 1774. Bode discovered M82’s neighbor M81. Bode spotted the Cigar Galaxy along with its neighboring galaxy M81 on that night. Bode used a 2.5-inch (6.4 cm) refracting telescope to make this discovery. Bode described M82 as a “nebula” and noted its unusual shape. Bode observed that M82 appeared as a “patch” near the bright star Alpha Ursae Majoris.

Bode’s discovery of M82 challenged the idea that the Milky Way was the only galaxy in the universe. Bode’s observations and cataloging of celestial objects laid the foundation for astronomers to explore the universe. Charles Messier, an astronomer, confirmed Bode’s discovery and included M82 in his catalog of deep-sky objects in 1781.

When was Cigar galaxy discovered?

M82, known as the Cigar galaxy, was discovered on December 31, 1774 by Johann Elert Bode. M82 is located about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. M82 interacts with its neighbor M81, triggering a starburst and shaping its unique elongated form.

What are some facts about the Cigar galaxy?

Cigar galaxy M82 undergoes star formation, 10-20 times higher than the Milky Way. M82 expels gas and dust due to interactions with neighboring M81. Gravitational interactions trigger starburst activity. M82 shines in infrared wavelengths. Thousands of massive stars fuel intense star formation. The core hosts a massive black hole surrounded by star-forming regions.

Some facts about the Cigar galaxy are listed below:

• The Cigar Galaxy (M82) is a starburst galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major, 12 million light-years from Earth.
• The Cigar Galaxy  is the second-largest member of the M81 group with a d₂₅ diameter of 12.52 kiloparsecs.
• The Cigar Galaxy contains over 30 billion stars and exhibits an edge-on spiral structure.
• The Cigar Galaxy is known for its burst of star formation in the core, due to gravitational interactions with M81.
• The Cigar Galaxy outshines the Milky Way by five times in infrared wavelengths.
• The center of the Cigar Galaxy glows one hundred times brighter than the center of our galaxy.
• The Cigar Galaxy is a prototype member of Seyfert galaxies.
• The Cigar Galaxy was discovered in 1774, it’s the closest starburst galaxy to Earth.
• The Cigar Galaxy is valuable for studying star formation processes and galaxy interactions.

The Cigar Galaxy exhibits an edge-on spiral structure with a burst of star formation in its core. Its elongated shape earned it the nickname “Cigar Galaxy.” M82 experiences gravitational interactions with its neighbor M81, resulting in a high rate of star formation.

What is the size of the Cigar galaxy?

Cigar Galaxy, known as Messier 82, has a size of 11.2′ x 4.3′ arcminutes in the sky. Its diameter measures 37,000 light-years. Messier Catalogue states M82’s diameter is 11.2 arcminutes. M82’s diameter measures 11.3 kiloparsecs. M82’s magnitude is around 8.4 mag in the V-band.

What is the age of the Cigar galaxy?

The Cigar galaxy, known as Messier 82, is 12 million years old. Astronomers have estimated this age based on observations and analysis of the galaxy’s structure and composition. Messier 82 has been interacting with its neighboring galaxy, Messier 81, for a period of 100-200 million years. This interaction has influenced the evolution and star formation processes within the Cigar galaxy.

The age of individual objects within Messier 82 varies. Some of the youngest objects in the galaxy are only thousands of years old. These objects include protostars, formed star clusters, and stars surrounded by birth clouds. The central region of the Cigar galaxy is active, containing stars that are thousands of years old. The range of ages observed within Messier 82 spans from thousands to millions of years, reflecting the ongoing star formation and dynamic nature of this starburst galaxy.

How many stars are in the Cigar galaxy?

Cigar Galaxy contains an estimated 100 billion stars, according to a 2015 study in the Astrophysical Journal. Researchers used stellar population synthesis with Hubble and Spitzer observations. Estimates suggested 30 billion stars. Cigar Galaxy measures 37,000 light-years in diameter, one-third the size of the Milky Way.

How far is the Cigar galaxy from Earth?

The Cigar galaxy is located 12 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. M82, NGC 3034, and the Bode galaxy are names for this celestial object. Researchers continue refining the distance measurement. Cosmic expansion makes the galaxy appear farther away. The distance is measured in a straight line.

Distance estimates for the Cigar Galaxy fall within a range of 11.4 million to 12.4 million light-years. The lower end of this range represents the minimum distance calculated by astronomers, while the upper end indicates the maximum distance based on current measurements. Scientists cite a distance of 11.5 million light-years for the Cigar Galaxy. A precise measurement, accounting for the galaxy’s redshift and properties, yields a distance of 11.42 million light-years.

Can you see the Cigar galaxy through the telescope?

Cigar galaxy (M82) is visible through telescopes but not to the naked eye from Earth. Telescopes reveal M82’s cigar-shaped appearance and bright central core. Modest to larger instruments enable viewing. Telescopes with 100-150 mm aperture provide good observation. M82 appears as an elongated patch of light in binoculars. Skies enhance visibility.

M82 appears as a smudge of light through binoculars. Telescopes resolve the cigar-like shape and starburst regions of the galaxy. Observers see M82 as an elongated patch with a central bulge at 100-200x magnification.

The Cigar Galaxy’s distance of 12 million light-years impacts its visibility from Earth. M82 has a magnitude of 8.4 and a surface brightness of 13.5 magnitudes per square arcsecond. The galaxy’s angular size measures 11.2 x 4.3 arcminutes in the night sky.