When viewed in radio emission, M82 looks like a fat, kinked line. The galaxyΓÇÖs radio emission is similar in shape to its visible light image. In this false color image the dimmest emission appears blue and the brightest red.
Two processes generated this radio emission: synchrotron radiation is created by high-energy particles moving through the galaxyΓÇÖs magnetic field; bremsstrahlung radiation is generated by the acceleration of free electrons in very hot gas. Radio emission therefore is strongly linked to the formation of stars, since one expects to see brems- strahlung radiation associated with the dense clouds of gas that form the stellar nurseries. Once these star-forming regions age, the