M81 · galaxy

Bode's Galaxy

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.

RA09h 55m 33sDec+69° 03' 55"

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M81
All designations: M81 · NGC 3031 · Bode's Galaxy
Object type: Galaxy
Constellation: Ursa Major
Best viewing: Spring

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 09h 55m 33s
Declination (J2000): +69° 03' 55"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —
Redshift (z): -0.000130

III

Visibility tonight

In your gallery

April 29, 2025 · Backyard Observatory, Michigan

Bode's Wound Spiral

Tightly wound spiral arms feel improbable until you see them.

Integration

3h 44m

Subs

224 × 60s

Telescope

Celestron Origin

Camera

Sony IMX178 (built-in)

Bortle

5

Moon

New

View full capture

The science

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.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0