M-82 The Cigar Galaxy
Description: irregular galaxy
This peculiar galaxy is 10'x2-3', oriented NE-SW. It has slightly tapering ends, and a great amount of mottling across its length can be seen. The southern edge appears flatter, and it seems to be 'pinched' near the center on this side. This galaxy is the prototype of an irregular of the second type, i.e. a "disk" irregular. Its core seems to have suffered dramatically from a semi-recent close encounter with M81, being in a heavy starburst and displaying conspicuous dark lanes. As a member of the M81 group, M82 is 12 million light years distant.