Messier 81, also known as Bode's Galaxy, is a grand design spiral galaxy located about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major near the Big Dipper It is one of the brightest galaxies in the night sky and is notable for its large, well-defined spiral arms and bright nucleus.

Near M 81 is the galaxy M 82, called the Cigar Galaxy. It is a starburst galaxy, forming new stars at a high rate. Both galaxies are part of the M81 Group.