News Astronomy

When the Magellanic Clouds cozy up to each other, stars are born

Five synchronized peaks of star formation reveal the two galaxies’ most intimate encounters

two Magellanic clouds in the night sky over Mayasia

Seen here from Malaysia, the Magellanic Clouds periodically sweep past each other, triggering the birth of new stars.

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By Ken Croswell

Like two great songwriters working side by side and inspiring each other to create their best work, the Magellanic Clouds spawn new stars every time the two galaxies meet.

Visible to the naked eye but best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are by far the most luminous of the many galaxies orbiting the Milky Way.