Webb reveals a fiery starburst in the Cigar Galaxy — Space photo of the week

Nov 3, 2025 | Space

If you own a small backyard telescope, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Cigar Galaxy (M82) with your own eyes. Not only is it relatively close to the Milky Way and one of the brightest galaxies in the night sky, but it’s visible beside Bode’s Galaxy (M81). A spiral galaxy about four times smaller than the Milky Way, M82 shines five times more brightly and forms stars at 10 times the rate, earning it the title of a starburst galaxy.

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