Observer's guide
About Bode's Galaxy
Bode's Galaxy (M81) is catalogued as a spiral galaxy in Ursa Major. Its J2000 position is RA 09:55:33.17, Dec +69:03:55.1, corresponding to 148.8882 degrees RA and 69.0653 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 12,000,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 21.38 by 10.23 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as an easy target at magnitude 6.9. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around February. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 72.9 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
A small telescope under reasonably dark skies is a good starting point; use the live altitude chart to choose its highest point.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is Sy2. SIMBAD records the morphology as SA. A published radial velocity value is -47 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 4754 bibliographic references.
Its roughly 21.4 arcminute span suits a medium field of view. Use the listed 21.38 by 10.23 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.