Small Magellanic Cloud

The Small Magellanic Cloud is an irregular dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way. Visible from the Southern Hemisphere, it is a nearby laboratory for studying star formation and galaxy evolution.

Large Magellanic Cloud: The largest satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, visible from the Southern Hemisphere. Its proximity and interaction with the Small Magellanic Cloud shape both galaxies.
Tidal interaction: A gravitational encounter that stretches or distorts astronomical bodies and redistributes their matter. Tidal forces have pulled gas and stars from the galaxy into surrounding structures.
Cepheid variable: A pulsating star whose period of brightness variation is related to its intrinsic luminosity. Cepheids in the Cloud help calibrate distance measurements beyond the Milky Way.
Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy: A dwarf spheroidal galaxy currently being disrupted by the Milky Way. Unlike this gas-rich irregular galaxy, Sagittarius is a largely gas-poor system undergoing tidal destruction.
Magellanic Bridge: A stream of gas and stars connecting the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. It records the material exchange between the two neighboring galaxies.
Star formation: The process by which dense regions of interstellar gas collapse to form stars. New stars form in its gas-rich regions despite its low mass.
RR Lyrae variable: An old, pulsating horizontal-branch star used as a standard candle. Its RR Lyrae stars trace the galaxy's older populations and help measure its distance.
Fornax Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy: A Milky Way satellite galaxy with a spheroidal shape and several globular clusters. Its spheroidal structure contrasts with the Small Magellanic Cloud's irregular form.
Magellanic Stream: A long trail of gas extending from the Magellanic Clouds around the Milky Way. Its gas traces gravitational encounters involving the Small Magellanic Cloud.
Chemical evolution: The changing abundance of chemical elements in a galaxy as stars form and evolve. Its low metallicity and stellar history reveal how galaxies build heavier elements.

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