Older revision
M81 / M82
Bode and Cigar Galaxies
Two very different galaxies in one field
Capture summary
Galaxy in Ursa Major
Natural color
Broadband RGB
Spring target / wide composition
Detailed filter totals have not been entered for this image yet.
Same target, different years.
Older revisions stay in the archive so you can see how the target changed with different equipment, processing, and experience.
M81 sits calm and spiral while M82 looks turbulent, dusty, and edge-on, a perfect contrast pair.
Target Planner
Galaxy in Ursa Major; best planned for March through May from New Jersey.
Spring favors higher galaxy fields and northern targets after evening twilight.
Assumes a New Jersey backyard horizon and evening imaging.
Prioritize transparency, darker skies, and long broadband integration.
M81 / M82 is listed here in Ursa Major.
Current frame: Natural color / Broadband RGB.
Calculating target altitude and moon context.
Use the full planner to enter a ZIP code, choose a date, and compare the target from your sky.
Based on the current time.
Green marks usable dark-sky altitude.
Next upper transit.
Approximate horizon crossing.
Moon phase and altitude.
