Article
Article
Magellanic Clouds
Article By:
Hodge, Paul Department of Astronomy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Last reviewed:December 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.396000
Two small, irregular galaxies that are close companions of the Milky Way Galaxy. Both are nearby galaxies that are located in the southern sky, not far from the south celestial pole (Figs. 1 and 2). When viewed without a telescope, they resemble small sections of the Milky Way that might have drifted away from the main arc of that soft, glowing belt of light. On a very dark, clear night the Magellanic Clouds can also be mistaken for small atmospheric clouds because of their diffuse appearance. See also: Milky Way Galaxy
The content above is only an excerpt.
About AccessScience
AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.
Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Contributors include more than 10,000 highly qualified scientists and 46 Nobel Prize winners.
MORE THAN 8700 articles covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology
115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
3000 biographies of notable scientific figures
MORE THAN 19,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics
ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research
LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information
