Dwarf Galaxy

Relatively small galaxy, typically containing ~107 stars. There is no official size below which a galaxy is designated a dwarf but any galaxy with a diameter below 30,000 light years can be considered a dwarf. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, visible in the Southern Hemisphere at a distance of ~50 kpc, are two irregular dwarf galaxies gravitationally bound to the Milky Way. The latter contains ~1011 stars.


Some or all content above used with permission from J. H. Wittke.


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