Multiband Image of M81 Galaxy

Yesterday we looked at the M82 galaxy, heres a mosaic image of the M81 courtesy of the Spitzer Space Telescope. It is able to look at different wavelengths of light and these images can be combined later, as seen in the main image. A visible-light image of Messier 81, obtained with a ground-based telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory, is shown in the upper right inset.
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.
Click on the pic for a larger view.