Our new image of the central core of Messier 82 in the mid-infrared, at wavelengths which are 20 times longer than visible to the eye. This image has been obtained with the COMICS infrared camera, combined with the light collecting power of the Subaru telescope, and represents the sharpest view possible currently. The smallest details discernible are as small as viewing a 5-yen coin from a distance of about 10 km. The bar on the bottom right shows a scale of 50 light years (ly), while the full field of view covers a size of about 1900x800 light years.

Do you see the resemblance to Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes? Move your mouse over the image to reveal it.