8-micron image of the Spiral Galaxy Messier 81
spitzer_ssc2003-06d4 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.
In this 8-micron image, emission is dominated by infrared light radiated by hot dust that has been heated by nearby luminous stars. Dust in the galaxy is bathed by ultraviolet and visible light from nearby stars. Upon absorbing an ultraviolet or visible-light photon, a dust grain is heated and re-emits the energy at longer infrared wavelengths. The dust particles are composed of silicates (chemically similar to beach sand), carbonaceous grains and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace the gas distribution in the galaxy. The well-mixed gas (which is best detected at radio wavelengths) and dust provide a reservoir of raw materials for future star formation.
Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope
Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1082-ssc2003-06d4-8-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
Distance
Position Details
Color Mapping
| Telescope | Spectral Band | Wavelength | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Spitzer (IRAC) | Infrared (Near-IR) | 3.6 µm |
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Spitzer (IRAC) | Infrared (Near-IR) | 4.5 µm |
|
Spitzer (IRAC) | Infrared (Mid-IR) | 5.8 µm |
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Spitzer (IRAC) | Infrared (Mid-IR) | 8.0 µm |
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Spitzer (MIPS) | Infrared (Mid-IR) | 24.0 µm |
| Multiple image collage; colors correspond to main image | |||
- ID
- ssc2003-06d4
- 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/1082-ssc2003-06d4-8-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
- 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
- ssc2003-06d4.tif
- Resource URL
- http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/uploaded_files/images/0001/6330/ssc2003-06d4.tif
- Related Resources
- Metadata Date
- 2012-10-11
- Metadata Version
- 1.1
Detailed color mapping information coming soon...
