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Astronomy: Large Magellanic Cloud
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The largest of the satellite galaxies and also the fourth largest galaxy in the Local Group is the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). It is located from us at a distance of 180.000 light years and spans about 15.000 light years. The LMC has a nearly circular orbit around our Milky Way Galaxy. This irregular shaped dwarf galaxy is a large bright object in southern hemisphere skies and it's also the brightest galaxy in the sky. The LMC contains several billion stars and many stars are still forming in it, most notably in the Tarantula nebula, a huge concentration of gas and dust over 1000 light years in diameter. A supernova occured in the Large Magellanic Cloud in 1987 and observations of the expanding supernova remnant provided accurate distance measurements to the galaxy. Supernova 1987a is the closest supernova of our time. Related subjects>> The Tarantula nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud>> Supernova 1987a in the Large Magellanic Cloud >> Supernova SNR N63A in the Large Magellanic Cloud >> The Small Magellanic Cloud >> Spacemap: from the Local Group to Earth |
 The Large Magellanic Cloud at 180.000 light years and spanning 15.000 light years  The Large Magellanic Cloud seen from the ground of Australia |
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