Messier 81 (also known as NGC 3031 or Bode's Galaxy) is a spiral galaxy about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. M81 is one of the most striking examples of a grand design spiral galaxy, with near perfect arms spiraling into the very center. Because of its proximity to Earth, its large size, and its active galactic nucleus (which harbors a supermassive black hole) Messier 81 is a popular galaxy to study in professional astronomy research.

Above M81 is Holmberg IX, a dwarf irregular galaxy and a satellite galaxy of M81, located in the constellation of Ursa Major. The galaxy is named after Erik Holmberg who first described it. Based on the observed age distribution of stars it contains it is thought to have formed within the last 200 million years making it the youngest nearby galaxy. It is also home to one of two yellow supergiant eclipsing binary systems. (Wikipedia)

Paducah Skies Observatory is a private observatory SW of Paducah, TX. It sits on 45 acres of native Texas grasslands and mesquite trees. The skies are 21.99 on the light pollution scale (almost Bortle 1).