Scientists have discovered evidence that the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, is being disrupted by the gravitational forces of its larger neighbor, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The findings, published in *The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series*, reveal unexpected patterns in the movement of stars within the SMC.
Researchers, led by Satoya Nakano and Kengo Tachihara at Nagoya University, analyzed data from the European Space Agency's (ESA) Gaia spacecraft. They tracked approximately 7,000 massive stars within the SMC and found that these stars move in opposite directions, indicating that the SMC is being pulled apart. Some stars approach the LMC, while others move away, suggesting a tidal force is at play.
Another key discovery is the lack of rotational movement among the SMC's massive stars, unlike galaxies like the Milky Way where stars and gas rotate together. This suggests the gas within the SMC isn't rotating either, potentially requiring a revision of calculations regarding the SMC's mass and its interactions with the LMC and the Milky Way.
The Magellanic Clouds, including the LMC and SMC, are dwarf galaxies visible from the Southern Hemisphere that orbit the Milky Way. The SMC is located approximately 200,000 light-years away. These findings provide insights into how galaxies interact and evolve, with the SMC's disruption offering a glimpse into galactic dynamics.