NGC 3447 (right) is
a large irregular galaxy.
Not exact matches
Not only does it hint at the universe's unexpected richness, but that abundance suggests that small,
irregular galaxies merge to form the
larger ones more familiar in our cosmic neighborhood.
The
Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, visible in the Southern Hemisphere, are two dwarf
irregular galaxies that are neighbors of the Milky Way.
The sequence of images below starting from top left: the
Large Magellanic Cloud (satellite of Milky Way), the Small Magellanic Cloud (satellite of Milky Way), IC 5152 (
irregular in Local Group), NGC 3084 (= Messier 82, starburst
irregular in M81 group), NGC 1313 (another starburst
galaxy), NGC 6822 (
irregular in Local Group).
The dwarf
irregular galaxies may be from cloud fragments that did not get incorporated into
larger galaxies.
The Magellanic Clouds are small
irregular galaxies orbiting our own
larger Milky Way spiral
galaxy.
The Coalsack earned the nickname «Black Magellanic Cloud» in the 16th century, apparently rivalling the prominence of the
Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, the two dwarf
irregular galaxies that shine brightly in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.