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Credit & Copyright: G. Bothun
(U. Oregon), courtesy W. Keel
(U. Alabama)
Explanation:
Here's is a spiral galaxy in true colors.
Previously, M81 was shown in
two colors only, but
M81's real
colors are just as dramatic. In
the above
picture, note how blue
the spiral arms are - this indicates the presence of
hot young stars and
on-going star formation.
Also note the yellow hue of the nucleus, indicating
am ancient population of stars many billions of years old.
M81
is actually a dominant member of a group of galaxies which includes
M82
and several other galaxies. Unlike our
Local Group of galaxies, large
galaxies in
the M81
group are actually colliding. It is possible that
M81's interaction with M82 create the
density
waves which generate M81's
spiral structure.
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Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: M 81
Publications with words: M 81
See also: