Something strange happened to this galaxy, but what? M82 is a nearby galaxy in the group of galaxies dominated by itself, M81 , and NGC 3077 . M82 is thought by some to be limping away from a close encounter with M81 . This galactic collision might have stirred up the inner stars and gas in M82 , causing the unusual dark lanes of dust visible in the above photograph. M82 is a starburst galaxy with a very active center containing star clusters far brighter than any in our own Milky Way Galaxy .
Media Credits & Attribution
Credit & Copyright: P. Challis (CfA), 1.2-m Telescope, Whipple Observatory