Magellanic Clouds

The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are nearby dwarf galaxies that orbit the Milky Way. They are prominent southern-sky laboratories for studying star formation and galactic interactions.

Large Magellanic Cloud: A dwarf galaxy and the largest satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. It is the more massive, star-forming member of the pair.
Magellanic Stream: A long ribbon of neutral hydrogen gas trailing the Magellanic Clouds across the sky. It records gas stripped from the Clouds during their gravitational interaction.
Tarantula Nebula: A vast star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Its dense clusters and intense stellar activity make it the pair’s most dramatic nursery.
Cosmic distance ladder: A sequence of calibrated methods for measuring distances from nearby stars to distant galaxies. Variable stars in the Clouds anchor key steps in this chain of measurements.
Andromeda Galaxy: A large spiral galaxy and the Milky Way’s nearest major galactic neighbor. Its scale and spiral structure contrast with the Clouds’ small, irregular forms.
Small Magellanic Cloud: A nearby dwarf galaxy that is a satellite of the Milky Way. Its disturbed shape and interaction with its neighbor distinguish the smaller member.
Magellanic Bridge: A stream of gas and stars connecting the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. It is direct evidence that the two galaxies have pulled material from one another.
SN 1987A: A supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud observed from Earth in 1987. Its proximity enabled unusually detailed study of a supernova and its aftermath.
Standard candle: An astronomical object whose intrinsic brightness is known or can be inferred from observable properties. The Clouds’ known distances allow their variable stars to calibrate stellar luminosities.
Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy: A dwarf spheroidal satellite galaxy currently being disrupted by the Milky Way. It offers a contrasting example of a satellite undergoing stronger disruption.

Linked from 9 pages