M81, Bode's Galaxy

M81, Bode's Galaxy

Messier 81 is a spiral galaxy about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. Messier 81 was first discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1774. Originally referred to as Bode's Nebula, it wasn't until the 20th century when Hubble determined that these certain "nebulae" were actually outside the Milky Way and galaxies on their own. The M81 group of about 34 galaxies are roughly 12 mly from Earth and it's Local Group of galaxies and our nearest neighbor in the Virgo Supercluster.