M81 (Galaxy)
R/B-band color composite image from the Second Digitized Sky Survey (DSS2), measuring 21 arcminutes across.
Finder chart
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From Cambridge , M81 is visible all night because it is circumpolar. It will be highest in the sky at dusk, becoming accessible at around 21:39 (EDT), 34° above your north-western horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight at around 03:58, 22° above your northern horizon.
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|
Name
M81
|
Object type
Galaxy
|
Position
| Right ascension: | 09h55m [5] |
| Declination: | +69°03' [5] |
| Constellation: | Ursa Major |
| Magnitude: | 6.92 (V) [3] 7.79 (B) [3] 4.76 (J) [3] 4.09 (H) [3] 3.83 (K) [3] |
| Hubble type: | Sab |
| Distance: | 4.2 Mpc 13.6 Mlyr [2] |
| B-V Color (mag): | 0.87 |
Derived quantities
| Absolute mag (V): | -21.18 |
Visibility from Cambridge
All times shown in Cambridge local time.
Events
| 19 Feb 2026 | – Messier 81 is well placed |
| 19 Feb 2027 | – Messier 81 is well placed |
| 19 Feb 2028 | – Messier 81 is well placed |
| 18 Feb 2029 | – Messier 81 is well placed |
| 19 Feb 2030 | – Messier 81 is well placed |
| 19 Feb 2031 | – Messier 81 is well placed |
| 19 Feb 2032 | – Messier 81 is well placed |
| 18 Feb 2033 | – Messier 81 is well placed |