M81 (Galaxy)
R/B-band color composite image from the Second Digitized Sky Survey (DSS2), measuring 21 arcminutes across.
Finder chart
Click and drag the chart above to pan around the sky, or use the mouse wheel to zoom.
Click to enlarge.
From South El Monte , M81 is visible all night because it is circumpolar. It will be highest in the sky at dusk, becoming accessible at around 21:18 (PDT), 35° above your north-western horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight at around 04:30, 13° above your northern horizon.
Begin typing the name of a town near to you, and then select the town from the list of options
which appear below.
|
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 South El Monte
All times shown in South El Monte 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 |