                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2021 July 9

                   M82: Starburst Galaxy with a Superwind
       Image Credit & Copyright: Team ARO, Alentejo Remote Observatory

   Explanation: M82 is a starburst galaxy with a superwind. In fact,
   through ensuing supernova explosions and powerful winds from massive
   stars, the burst of star formation in M82 is driving a prodigious
   outflow. Evidence for the superwind from the galaxy's central regions
   is clear in sharp telescopic snapshot. The composite image highlights
   emission from long outflow filaments of atomic hydrogen gas in reddish
   hues. Some of the gas in the superwind, enriched in heavy elements
   forged in the massive stars, will eventually escape into intergalactic
   space. Triggered by a close encounter with nearby large galaxy M81, the
   furious burst of star formation in M82 should last about 100 million
   years or so. Also known as the Cigar Galaxy for its elongated visual
   appearance, M82 is about 30,000 light-years across. It lies 12 million
   light-years away near the northern boundary of Ursa Major.

              Tomorrow's picture: Mercury and the Da Vinci Glow
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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