Hubble reveals the Cigar Galaxy in stunning new detail

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a dramatic portrait of the Cigar Galaxy, or Messier 82 (M82). Through the lens of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, we see a galaxy so full of life that it seems almost restless, brimming with newborn stars and streaked with clouds of dust and gas.  Located 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major, the galaxy has earned its reputation as one of the most energetic star factories in the universe....