M82

These two spectacular galaxies are neighbors, located near the bowl of the big dipper. M82 is an irregular edge-on galaxy that shows red gas and dark clouds. Its neighbor M81 is face-on, and displays stately grand spiral arms.

Here are two nearby galaxies taken from my back yard with my new astrograph telescope. M81 is face-on and its neighbor M82 is edge-on. Dust clouds in the latter are especially noticeable.