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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

Doomed Companions Giant stars that are doomed September 4, 2023

Busy Nursery An amazing stellar nursery July 23, 2023

Windy Galaxy A “windy” companion to the Milky Way July 22, 2023

Morning Meeting A close meet-up in the dawn sky April 1, 2022

Supernova 1987a A star that keeps on giving February 22, 2022

Magnetic Bursts A big outburst from a tiny star March 5, 2021

Moon and Mars How’s the weather up there? June 5, 2019

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

Featured Images

JWST image of a giant stellar nursery

Busy Nursery January 11, 2023
james webb space telescope image of tarantula nebula

Stars Galore September 9, 2022
composite view of tarantula nebula

Spidery Star Lanes June 16, 2022
debris from the landing of the perseverance rover and ingenuity helicopter

Mars Litter May 2, 2022
Supernova remnant N132D in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Breath of Life August 31, 2020
A stellar nursery in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Blowing Bubbles February 6, 2019
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