The Cigar Galaxy is also known as M82, or NGC3034. It is a frequently photographed object because of its distinctive spread of mostly blue stars within the main disc of the galaxy, and the mostly red elements that appear to spread above and below the disc as seen from our edge-on perspective. I do have to point out that my image really does not do justice to this object.

Lots more information about this object can be found on its Wikipedia page.

Even with my very long focal length scope, this galaxy appears very small in the frame of the image because its apparent size in the sky is only around one fifth of a degree.

You can view this image in the WorldWideTelescope by clicking here.