24-micron image of the Spiral Galaxy Messier 81

Spitzer_ssc2003-06d3_1024

spitzer_ssc2003-06d3 December 18th, 2003

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/K. Gordon (University of Arizona) & S. Willner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)

The magnificent spiral arms of the nearby galaxy Messier 81 are highlighted in this image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Located in the northern constellation of Ursa Major (which also includes the Big Dipper), this galaxy is easily visible through binoculars or a small telescope. M81 is located at a distance of 12 million light-years.

This 24-micron multiband imaging photometer image shows emission from warm dust heated by the most luminous young stars. The infrared-bright clumpy knots within the spiral arms show where massive stars are being born in giant H II (ionized hydrogen) regions. Studying the locations of these star forming regions with respect to the overall mass distribution and other constituents of the galaxy (e.g., gas) will help identify the conditions and processes needed for star formation.

Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope

Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1080-ssc2003-06d3-24-micron-image-of-the-Spiral-Galaxy-Messier-81

Curator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA

Image Use Policy: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy

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Image Details

Image Type
Observation
Object Name
Bode's Galaxy Messier 81 M81 NGC 3031 UGC 5318
Subject - Local Universe
Galaxy > Type > Spiral

Distance

Universescale2
12,000,000 light years
Spitzer_ssc2003-06d3_128
 

Position Details

Position (ICRS)
RA = 9h 55m 34.0s
DEC = 69° 3’ 54.9”
Orientation
North is 268.7° CCW
Field of View
23.5 x 17.9 arcminutes
Constellation
Ursa Major

Color Mapping

  Telescope Spectral Band Wavelength
Blue Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Near-IR) 3.6 µm
Blue Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Near-IR) 4.5 µm
Green Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Mid-IR) 5.8 µm
Green Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Mid-IR) 8.0 µm
Red Spitzer (MIPS) Infrared (Mid-IR) 24.0 µm
Multiple image collage; colors correspond to main image
Spectrum_ir1
Blue
Blue
Green
Green
Red
Spitzer_ssc2003-06d3_1280
×
ID
ssc2003-06d3
Subject Category
C.5.1.1.  
Subject Name
Bode's Galaxy, Messier 81, M81, NGC 3031, UGC 5318
Credits
NASA/JPL-Caltech/K. Gordon (University of Arizona) & S. Willner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)
Release Date
2003-12-18
Lightyears
12,000,000
Redshift
-0.000113
Reference Url
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1080-ssc2003-06d3-24-micron-image-of-the-Spiral-Galaxy-Messier-81
Type
Observation
Image Quality
Good
Distance Notes
Distance taken from Fast Facts and NED
Facility
Spitzer, Spitzer, Spitzer, Spitzer, Spitzer
Instrument
IRAC, IRAC, IRAC, IRAC, MIPS
Color Assignment
Blue, Blue, Green, Green, Red
Band
Infrared, Infrared, Infrared, Infrared, Infrared
Bandpass
Near-IR, Near-IR, Mid-IR, Mid-IR, Mid-IR
Central Wavelength
3600, 4500, 5800, 8000, 24000
Start Time
Integration Time
50, 50, 50, 50, 80
Dataset ID
Notes
M
Coordinate Frame
ICRS
Equinox
J2000
Reference Value
148.891519342434, 69.065246176994862
Reference Dimension
1158, 878
Reference Pixel
579, 439
Scale
-0.00033889738260893987, 0.00033889738260893987
Rotation
268.70316683549561
Coordinate System Projection:
TAN
Quality
Full
FITS Header
Notes
Creator (Curator)
Spitzer Space Telescope
URL
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu
Name
Spitzer Space Telescope
Email
Telephone
Address
1200 E. California Blvd.
City
Pasadena
State/Province
CA
Postal Code
91125
Country
USA
Rights
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy
Publisher
Spitzer Science Center
Publisher ID
spitzer
Resource ID
ssc2003-06d3.tif
Metadata Date
2012-10-11
Metadata Version
1.1
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Detailed color mapping information coming soon...

×
Universescalefull
12,000,000 light years

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