Galaxy M81: composite optical & ultraviolet image

This image is part of the feature The Ultraviolet Sky

Credit: NASA, GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Caption: M81 spiral galaxy. Optical/ultraviolet composite image of spiral galaxy M81. Optical emission is in red and yellow, ultraviolet in blue and white. The central region of the galaxy has the highest concentration of stars and is extremely bright at both optical and ultraviolet wavelengths. The bright blue-white knots are associated with regions occupied by young and hot stars, where star formation is taking place. The ultraviolet emission from the nucleus arises from old stars which have evolved into a hotter phase. The ultraviolet image was taken by the ASTRO-1 telescope on board the Space Shuttle.

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Keywords: astro-1 imagery, astronomy, cosmology, galactic, galaxy, m81, m81 galaxy, science, spiral galaxy, spiral galaxy ultraviolet, star formation, ultraviolet, ultraviolet image

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