Tag: SMC

Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), and the dust around

The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are two irregular dwarf galaxies that orbit the Milky Way. They are among the closest galaxies to us and are visible from the Southern Hemisphere.

  • Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC): Located about 160,000 light-years away, the LMC is the fourth-largest galaxy in the Local Group. It contains the Tarantula Nebula, one of the most active star-forming regions in the nearby universe.
  • Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC): Positioned around 200,000 light-years from Earth, the SMC is smaller and more irregular than the LMC. It has a rich mix of young and old stars and is known for its interaction with both the LMC and the Milky Way, causing bursts of star formation.

Both galaxies are important for studying cosmic evolution and are key targets for astronomers exploring star formation and galactic interactions.

TelescopeSigma 40mm @F1.4
Aperture28 mm
Focal length40 mm
MountiOptron HEM15
AutoguidingZWO ASI485MC, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO 6200MC @0°C
Filtersnone
Exposure84x180s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-02

NGC 292 Small Magellanic Cloud

Small Magellanic Cloud, shorty SMC, is a dwarf galaxy, which is gravitationally bonded to the Milky Way. It has an irregular shape, which resembles a droplet. Compared to the Milky Way’s size (100’000 light-years in diameter) it’s significantly smaller (7’000 light-years in diameter) and it’s roughly 200’000 light-years far from us.

SMC is visually accompanied by two globular clusters. NGC 104 at the top and NGC 362 at the left side. The clusters are obviously much closer to us than the galaxy.

This galaxy is quite important for astronomy, because Henrietta Swan Leavitt, an astronomer at the Harvard College Observatory, discovered several variable stars in this galaxy. Variable stars change the intensity in periodic cycles. So, based on the apparent brightness of the variable star, the distance can be determined. Since this discovery, mankind can measure the distance between the galaxies.

The picture is a stack of 159 photos, 2 minutes each. This means in total I was photographing this object for 5.3 hours.

TelescopeWilliam Optics RedCat 51/250 f4.9
Aperture51 mm
Focal length250 mm
MountiOptron Skyguider Pro
AutoguidingZWO 178MM, QHY Mini Guide Scope 30/130 mm
CameraZWO ASI071 MC Pro @-10 °C
Filtersnone
Exposure159x120s, ISO 1600
Date2022-05-30