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4w ago

Small Magellanic Cloud Found to Be Tearing Apart Under Gravitational Forces

New research reveals that the dwarf galaxy lacks rotational motion and is being disrupted by the Large Magellanic Cloud, prompting a reevaluation of its mass and historical dynamics.

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Velocities of massive star candidates within the SMC shown as vectors. The colors of the arrows represent the direction of motion. Relative to the LMC, located at the bottom left of the image, most red arrows show movement towards the LMC, whereas most light blue arrows show movement away from the LMC, suggesting they are being pulled apart.
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Overview

  • Astronomers from Nagoya University tracked 7,000 massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), revealing it is being gravitationally disrupted by the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).
  • The study found opposing stellar motions within the SMC, with stars closer to the LMC being pulled towards it and others moving away, indicating tidal disruption.
  • Contrary to previous assumptions, the SMC lacks rotational motion, challenging existing mass estimates and models of its dynamics.
  • The findings suggest the SMC's interaction history with the LMC and Milky Way may need to be revised, impacting our understanding of galactic evolution.
  • The SMC's similarities to early galaxies make it a valuable model for studying primordial galactic interactions and formation processes in the early universe.