Messier 81 is a ‘grand design’ spiral galaxy, indicating that it has a well-defined spherical core encircled by almost perfect spiral arms. It is a little smaller than the Milky Way. The galaxy is about 12 million light-years away, and appears near the bowl of the Big Dipper. [NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)]
Find out more in our radio program entitled Messier 81.