M82, also called NGC 3034, is the 82nd object in the catalogue compiled by Charles Messier in 1784. Its unique properties have captured the attention of many astronomers. It was discovered by J. E. Bode in December 1774, who described it as a fuzzy, nebulous, elongated object with some sort of companion.
To Messier, who observed it in 1781, M82 was less distinct than its companion, M81, and emitted faint light with a “telescopic star at its extremity.” Equipped with a much more powerful telescope in 1871, Lord Rosse described M82 as “a most extraordinary object . . . crossed by several dark bands.”
