M82 Cigar Galaxy

M82 is located 12 million light-years from Earth and is about 37,000 light-years in length. It is the starburst type of galaxy, meaning there is a high amount of star creation. The red filaments seen near the center are strands of glowing hydrogen. About 1/2 deg south lies M81, a larger galaxy that is the cause of the starburst activity. North is at the top.

Scope/Mount: AstroTech AT8RC 8" F8 Ritchey-Chretien with Astro-Physics CCDT67 Focal Reducer, Celestron CI-700 Mount
Camera: Orion StarShoot Pro V2 one-shot color
Guiding: QHY5L-IIM through Orion Deluxe OAG, PHD guiding software
Exposure: (24) 10 min
Software: Nebulosity, PhotoShop CS2
Comment: 05-22-2017, Tierra del Sol, CA, good conditions.