M82：有超级星系风的星爆星系
M82: Starburst Galaxy with a Superwind
Image Credit & Copyright: Team ARO, Alentejo Remote Observatory
Explanation: M82 is a starburst galaxy with a superwind. In fact, through ensuing supernova explosions and powerful winds from massive stars, the burst of star formation in M82 is driving a prodigious outflow. Evidence for the superwind from the galaxy’s central regions is clear in sharp telescopic snapshot. The composite image highlights emission from long outflow filaments of atomic hydrogen gas in reddish hues. Some of the gas in the superwind, enriched in heavy elements forged in the massive stars, will eventually escape into intergalactic space. Triggered by a close encounter with nearby large galaxy M81, the furious burst of star formation in M82 should last about 100 million years or so. Also known as the Cigar Galaxy for its elongated visual appearance, M82 is about 30,000 light-years across. It lies 12 million light-years away near the northern boundary of Ursa Major.
Tomorrow’s picture: Mercury and the Da Vinci Glow
M82：有超级星系风的星爆星系
影像提供与版权: Team ARO, Alentejo Remote Observatory
说明: M82是个有超级星系风的星爆星系。因爆发性恒星形成活动所产生的大质量恒星，发出了强烈恒星风，再加上持续发生的超新星爆炸，驱动非常大量的物质从星系M82泛流而出。这幅清晰的望远镜组合影像，以红色突显颀长丝状外泛原子氢气发出的辐射，故清楚可见此星系的中心区会发出超级星系风。超级星系风内的部分气体，夹杂着大质量恒星合成的重元素，它们最后会散逸到星系际空间。星系M82之所以会发生持续约1亿年的爆发性恒星诞生活动，是因曾与邻近大星系M81 近距离接近而触发的。因外观细长而拥有雪茄星系称号的M82，跨幅约30,000光年，位在北天的大熊座北缘附近约1千2百万光年远之处。
明日的图片: Mercury and the Da Vinci Glow
