M82 has an angular size of 9 x 4 arcminutes and has very high
surface brightness.   It is easily found in even small scopes.
The high surface brightness is due to the very high star formation
rate currently operative in M82.  The interaction of this star
formation pattern and the peculiar distribution of dust in M82 
gives rise to its peculiar appearance and its misnomer label as
an "exploding galaxy".  The high star formation fuels vigorous
hydrodynamic winds in the galaxy which can eject material to distances
beyond the galaxy.