National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

Shedding Light on the Power of M 82’s Superwinds

| Science

An international team of astronomers has discovered that outflows of gas from starburst galaxy M 82 collide with a “cap” of gas clouds 40,000 light years away from the galactic disk. Shockwaves from M 82’s central starburst region are the most likely source of the bright clouds within the cap. This research provides an important clue about the wind’s power.

Figure
[Figure] Images of the cap of M 82 (Credit: NAOJ)

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