M81, M82 - Bode's and Cigar Galaxies in Ursa Major

M81 and M82 are a pair of galaxies in the constellation Ursa Major. They are located approximately 10 degrees northwest of the Big Dipper's pointer star Dubhe (Alpha Ursae Majoris) and 12 million light-years away from our Solar System. The distance between them is 150000 light years. They are the largest members of the M81 Group, a physical association of 34 galaxies. M81 and M82 are best observed during the spring.

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