The above area is located in the constellation Ursa Major. M81 (NGC3031, left center) is a spiral galaxy that were discovered by J. E. Bode in 1774. For this reason is also named Bode Nebula. 26'x14' in dimensions, is oval with a bright center. M82 (NGC3034), visible at upper left and with dimensions of 11'x4.5', is irregularly shaped. It shows a radial expansion from the center at a speed of 2000 km/sec. The other two galaxies well showed in the picture are NGC3077 (lower left) and NGC2976 (lower right). Other faint galaxies can be noticed in the field. The close-up below shows them very enlarged.

Exposure : three 35 min. negatives scanned with Polaroid Sprintscan 35+, blended in Picture Window 2.0 and enhanced with Photoshop 4.0


Telescope : Takahashi FS/102 at F/6 with focal reducer on a Losmandy G11


Guiding : ST4 on a Vixen 80/910mm.


Film : unhypered Kodak Ektapress PJ400


Location : Champorcher (Val d'Aosta) - 1800mt. height


Date : February 05, 2000