Messier 81 | |
---|---|
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Ursa Major[1] |
Right ascension | 09h 55m 33.2s[2] |
Declination | +69° 3′ 55″[2] |
Redshift | −0.000113 |
Heliocentric radial velocity | −34 |
Galactocentric velocity | 73 |
Distance | 11.8 Mly (3.6 Mpc) |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 6.94[3][4] |
Characteristics | |
Type | SA(s)ab,[2] LINER[2] |
Size | 29.44 kiloparsecs (96,000 light-years) (diameter; 25.0 mag/arcsec2 B-band isophote)[2][5] |
Apparent size (V) | 26.9 × 14.1 moa[2] |
Other designations | |
NGC 3031, UGC 5318, MCG+12-10-010, PGC 28630, Bode's Galaxy[3] |
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).[2][5] Because of its relative proximity to the Milky Way galaxy, large size, and active galactic nucleus (which harbors a 70 million M☉[6] 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.[7] In late February 2022, astronomers reported that M81 may be the source of FRB 20200120E, a repeating fast radio burst.[8][9]
SA-20220223
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).NAT-20220223
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).