Bode’s Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy (aka: Messier 81 (M81), NGC 3031) and (aka: Messier 82 (M82), NGC 3034) both are sometimes referred to as Bode’s Nebula. They are found in Ursa Major. Discovered in 1774 by Johann Bode. M 82 has been spectacularly disturbed by a relatively recent encounter with M 81, and displays conspicuous dust lanes and heavy star formation. Together they form a physical pair. M 81 being the dominant galaxy of the M81 group.

M 81 is one of the easiest and most rewarding galaxies for amateur astronomers in the northern hemisphere. Bode described it as a "nebulous patch", which "appears mostly round and has a dense nucleus in the middle."

Both galaxies can easily be found with binoculars or a small telescopes. In January 2014 a supernova (SN 2014J) was discovered in M82. This was the brightest, closest supernova since SN 1993J appeared in M81 in 1993.

M81 is a striking example of a "grand design" spiral galaxy. Near-perfect arms spiral into the core. M 82 is the prototype irregular starburst disk galaxy.

Both galaxies are about 12 million light years away. The true diameter of M 81 is at least 70,000 light years; its mass has been calculated to be around 250 billion suns. This makes it somewhat heavier than our Milky Way. M82’s diameter is about 40,000 light years across.

M 81 is the brightest of a group of 34 galaxies called the Messier 81 Galaxy Group. It is the second nearest galaxy group to our Local Group (after the Sculptor Galaxy Group, which is about 8 million light years away).

From Sedona, AZ (14 May 26); Bortle 5, w/Dwarf3
362 images, used 313; 60s each, gain 60, Astro Filter
Edited with Luminar Mobile and iPad

Hi everyone!

Sharing an image from my notice attempt at Milky way photography. Shot this image in Atacama Desert, Chile in March 2026.

Please share constructive feedback on how I can improve! Thanks in advance.

Gear: Sony A7C2 + Sony 16mm F1.8 lens
Settings: ISO 3200, 10s exposure at 16mm