Small Magellanic Cloud
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{{Galaxy
| name = Small Magellanic Cloud
| image = Image:SMC.jpg
Part of the Small Magellanic Cloud
| epoch = J2000.0
| type = dSB(s)m pec
| ra = 0h 52.7m
| dec = -72° 50m
| dist_ly = 200,000 ly
| appmag_v = 2.7
| size_v = 5 x 3 °
| constellation name = Tucana
| radius_ly = 7,000 ly
| absmag_v = -16.2
| notes = Companion dwarf to the
Milky Way
| names = SMC, NGC 0292
}}
The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC for short) is a dwarf galaxy in orbit around the Milky Way Galaxy. It contains around a billion stars.
Some speculate that the SMC was once a barred spiral galaxy that was disrupted by the Milky Way to become somewhat irregular. It still contains a central bar structure.
At a distance of about 200,000 light-years, it is one of the Milky Way's nearest neighbors. It is also one of the most distant objects that can be seen with the naked eye.
With a mean declination of approximately -72 degrees, it is best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere. It is located in the constellation of Tucana and appears as a hazy, light patch in the night sky about 3 degrees across. It looks like a detached piece of the Milky Way.
It forms a pair with the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), which is positioned a further 20 degrees to the east. The Small Magellanic Cloud is a member of the Local Group.
Since it has a very low surface brightness, it is best viewed from a dark site away from city lights.
The Magellanic clouds are best visible in the southern hemisphere, although they are visible 5 degrees from the horizon in Hawaii.
External links
See also
Template:Milky Way Footeres:Pequeña Nube de Magallanes fr:Petit Nuage de Magellan it:Piccola Nube di Magellano ja:小マゼラン銀河 ru:Малое Магелланово Облако sk:Malý Magellanov mrak