Galaxies · Dwarf irregular galaxy
Small Magellanic Cloud
200,000 light-years · Light crosses it in 18,900 years
- Across
- 18,900 light-years
- Vs Earth
- 18,900 light-years across
- Mass
- 7.0 billion Suns
Open Small Magellanic Cloud in Cosmic Scale
In the app, Small Magellanic Cloud is part of the Beyond pack.
About
The Small Magellanic Cloud is a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way, a companion of the Large Magellanic Cloud. Both are being stretched by our galaxy's gravity, and a stream of gas trails behind them across the sky.
The Large Cloud's smaller partner, slowly being pulled apart by it and the Milky Way.
At a glance
| Distance | 200,000 light-years |
|---|---|
| Size | About 19,000 light-years |
| Stars | Several hundred million |
| Seen from | The southern sky |
Did you know
- Studying its stars, Henrietta Leavitt found the law that let astronomers measure distances to other galaxies.
- It is visible to the naked eye as a faint cloud, like a piece of the Milky Way broken off.
- It and the Large Cloud were named after Ferdinand Magellan, whose crew recorded them in 1519.