Explanation:
Large galaxies and faint nebula highlight this deep image of the
M81
Group of galaxies.
First and foremost in the above wide-angle 12-hour exposure is the
grand design spiral galaxy
M81, the largest galaxy
visible in the image.
M81 is
gravitationally interacting with
M82 just below it,
a big galaxy with an unusual halo of filamentary
red-glowing gas.
Around the image many other galaxies from the
M81
Group of galaxies can be seen.
Together with other galaxy congregates
including our Local
Group of galaxies and the
Virgo Cluster of galaxies,
the M81 Group is part of the expansive
Virgo
Supercluster of Galaxies.
This whole galaxy menagerie is seen through the faint
nebular glow of the
Integrated
Flux Nebula, a little studied complex of diffuse gas and dust
clouds in our
Milky Way Galaxy.
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