|  
         
       
      
      
      The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and 
        its close relative the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are irregular dwarf 
        galaxies that orbit the Milky Way, making them members of our Local Group 
        of galaxies. Both galaxies are close enough to be visible to the unaided 
        eye from the Southern Hemisphere. The LMC It is filled with many interesting 
        objects, including the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070), which is a giant hot 
        emission nebula. It also contains globular and open clusters, and planetary 
        nebulae. In 1987 a supernova occurred in this region. Diffuse galactic 
        light is visible lingering over this galaxy. This phenomenon occurs when 
        starlight scatters off dust clouds in and around the plane of the Large 
        Magellanic Cloud's disk, forming a faint reflection nebula. 
        References: 
        http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/ngc/lmc.html 
        http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~cole/lmc 
          | 
     
      
        
           
             
              Object | 
             
              Distance from Earth | 
             
              Wavelength | 
           
           
            
              Large Magellanic Cloud | 
             
               180,000 
                light years  | 
             
               Optical  | 
           
         
        
       
      
      Click Image to Enlarge |