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Magellanic Clouds

The Large Magellanic Cloud and Small Magellanic Cloud are companion galaxies of the Milky Way. They are visible only from the southern hemisphere. They appear to be gravitationally bound to the Milky Way, so that they orbit it. Each is less than 200,000 light-years away, making them some of our closest known galactic neighbors.

Radio Programs

Galactic Smash-Up A smash-up for some bright neighbors September 26, 2018

Moon and Mars Sniffing for life on Mars June 29, 2018

Local Group II The Milky Way’s galactic entourage January 10, 2017

Tarantula Nebula Making stars by the basketful July 5, 2016

Large Magellanic Cloud Fireworks in a companion galaxy July 4, 2016

Featured Images

Magellanic Clouds over ALMA

Close Clouds September 26, 2018
Hubble Space Telescope view of NGC 248 in the Small Magellanic Cloud

Bright Gas December 22, 2016
R136, a massive star cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Biggest of the Big July 6, 2016
A star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Busy Nursery June 18, 2016
Magellanic clouds above the ALMA radio telescope array

Cloudy Neighbors July 14, 2014
View of the 30 Doradus star cluster and the massive binary system R144

Megastars July 9, 2013
A supernova remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Double Suicide? April 9, 2012
Space-based infrared view of the Large Magellanic Cloud

Busy Neighbor March 20, 2012
Hubble Space Telescope images of the aftermath of Supernova 1987A

Wave of Destruction February 23, 2012
Hubble Space Telescope image of the aftermath of Supernova 1987A

Stellar Ghost February 21, 2012
Visible and X-ray image of a supernova remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Holiday Decoration December 16, 2010
A multi-spectral view of a supernova remnant in the Small Magellanic Cloud

Life from Death September 17, 2010
The remains of a supernova explosion form complex loops and filaments in this co

Colorful Aftermath May 27, 2010