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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня M82: галактика с вспышкой звездообразования и сверхветром http://www.variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1748123/eng |
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.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.