The M81 Galaxy Group Through the Integrated Flux Nebula
			
		
		
			Credit & Copyright:  
Jordi Gallego
		
		
			Large galaxies and faint nebulae highlight this deep image of the 
M81
Group of galaxies.  
First and foremost in the wide-angle 12-hour exposure is the 
grand design spiral galaxy
M81, the largest galaxy
visible in the image.  
M81 is 
gravitationally interacting with 
M82 just below it, 
a big galaxy with an unusual halo of filamentary
red-glowing gas.  
Around the image many other galaxies from the 
M81
Group of galaxies can be seen.  
Together with other galaxy congregates
including our Local
Group of galaxies and the 
Virgo Cluster of galaxies,
the M81 Group is part of the expansive 
Virgo
Supercluster of Galaxies.  
This whole galaxy menagerie is seen through the faint
glow of an 
Integrated
Flux Nebula, a little studied complex of diffuse gas and dust 
clouds in our 
Milky Way Galaxy.