7. The Galaxy of Cigars
Found Year: 1774
Who Found It: Bode, Johann Elert
Location: M82 – The Cigar Galaxy
Brightly glowing at infrared wavelengths, M82, also called the Cigar galaxy, is notable for its star production activity.The closest galaxy, M81, and the Cigar galaxy interact gravitationally, leading to a starburst that can best be defined as an unusually rapid rate of star production.
The Galaxy of Cigars ©Shutterstock/Bruce Rolff
The radiation and energetic particles emitted by these stars create a cosmic wind that compresses enough gas to support millions of more stars. There will come a point in time when the galaxy’s fast pace of star production exceeds its self-imposed limit. A star formation that accelerates too swiftly will be consumed or destroyed.
zi ang