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M82

M82, commonly known as the Cigar Galaxy, is a nearby irregular starburst galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. It is designated Messier 82 (M82) and NGC 3034, and lies at a distance of about 12 million light-years (roughly 3.6 megaparsecs) from Earth. It is part of the M81 Group, located near the larger spiral galaxy M81.

Its elongated, cigar-like appearance results from gravitational interaction with M81 and other group members, which has

M82's central star-forming region is exceptionally active; the star formation rate is on the order of 10

Observations across the spectrum reveal strong infrared emission from heated dust, prominent H II regions, and

Most notably, M82 drives a galactic superwind—powerful outflows of gas and dust extending above and below the

Because of its proximity and extreme star-formation, M82 is a key object for studying starburst physics and

driven
a
large
concentration
of
star
formation
in
its
central
region.
solar
masses
per
year,
vastly
higher
than
that
of
the
Milky
Way.
numerous
compact
star
clusters.
The
galaxy
hosts
several
ultraluminous
X-ray
sources
and
a
population
of
supernova
remnants.
disk—visible
in
optical
emission
lines,
X-ray,
and
radio
wavelengths.
feedback
processes
in
galaxies.