Scarlet plumes of hydrogen burst forth from the captivating imagery of galaxy Messier 82 (M82), commonly referred to as the cigar galaxy. Located in the constellation Ursa Major, M82 lies approximately 12 million light years from Earth.
This extraordinary starburst galaxy is characterized by an exceptionally high rate of star formation. For every single star born in our Milky Way, around ten emerge in M82. This heightened activity is attributed to M82’s gravitational interactions with its neighboring galaxy, M81.
The stunning image of M82 presented here is the sharpest wide-angle view ever captured, created using data collected by the Hubble Space Telescope across both infrared and visible light wavelengths.
In addition, the Cat’s Eye Nebula, or NGC 6543, showcases an ethereal glow, also captured by Hubble. Despite its name, a planetary nebula like this one forms when sun-like stars expel their outer gas layers, producing a mesmerizing display. Its concentric, pastel-colored rings are remnants ejected in a series of pulses, occurring roughly every 1500 years.
These breathtaking cosmic phenomena will be featured in the upcoming release, “Cosmos: Explore the Wonders of the Universe,” set to launch on October 3. Astrophysicist Becky Smethurst expresses her hope that readers will gain a profound appreciation for the vastness and beauty of the universe, as well as an understanding of the mysteries that still remain.
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