Large Magellanic Cloud
Position on the route: 129/130 · level needed 4200 · journey (Mk0 engine) 544.3 h
By the numbers
| Distance | ≈ 160,000 light-years |
|---|---|
| Stars | ≈ 30 billion |
| Diameter | ≈ 14,000 light-years |
| SN 1987A | 23 February 1987 |
The story
The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is the Milky Way’s nearest large satellite galaxy (about 160,000 light-years). In the southern hemisphere it looks like a cloud to the naked eye; it takes its name from Magellan’s voyage round the world. It has about 30 billion stars and an irregular shape.
In 1987 SN 1987A exploded here, the nearest supernova seen with the naked eye since 1604, and neutrinos from a supernova were caught for the first time. The Tarantula Nebula (30 Doradus) is the most active star-forming region in the Local Group.
Missions
- Hubble, JWST and Gaia: mapping the LMC
- Kamiokande: the SN 1987A neutrinos
Colony note
An outpost outside the galaxy; an orbital station, Mk3 shield.
☠ A neighbouring dwarf galaxy: an orbital station, the second outpost outside the Milky Way.
What probes bring back
- ≈ 160,000 light-years: the Milky Way’s nearest large satellite galaxy; in 1987 SN 1987A was the nearest supernova seen with the naked eye since 1604.
- The Tarantula Nebula is the most active star-forming region in the Local Group; the galaxy holds about 30 billion stars.