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The M81 galaxy (NGC 3031, Bode’s Galaxy) and its companion M82 (NGC 3034, Cigar Galaxy) in Ursa Major. Distance is 12 million light-years.

Shot 30 May 2009; Rock Springs Parking Lot, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, California; ISO 800, Exp 22x2.5m, f/5.2, Canon EOS 5D & Televue NP127is. Calibration, alignment, & stacking with Images Plus 3.0; other post-processing with Photoshop CS4.