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 |