APOD 2.7

I chose to write about M82 this week because it is one of the strangest looking galaxies that I have seen. Most galaxies that I have seen pictures of have been spiral galaxies, but this one looks like a bow tie with a cigar going through the middle of it. I really would like to know how a galaxy forms in this unique shape. Along with the shape of it, the sheer dimensions amaze me. The filaments themselves extend over 10,000 light years. This number is completely incomprehensible and is simply stunning to think about, which is another reason why I chose to write about M82 this week.