Consider the following statements regarding Large Magellanic Cloud:
- The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is an irregular satellite galaxy that orbits the Milky Way every 1,500 million years.
- It is about 163,000 light-years away from the earth and is visible to the naked eye in the Southern Hemisphere.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Answer: (C)
Explanation: The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is an irregular satellite galaxy
that orbits the Milky Way every 1,500 million years. It is one of the closest
galaxies to Earth. It is about 163,000 light-years away from the earth and is
visible to the naked eye in the Southern Hemisphere. The LMC and the Small
Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are two irregular galaxies that orbit the Milky Way.
The Magellanic Clouds share a gaseous envelope and lie about 22° apart in the
sky near the south celestial pole. The LMC is rich in dark matter, which makes its
mass considerably larger. The interaction of the LMC with the Milky Way is
creating new stars. The Magellanic Clouds are named after the Portuguese
explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who observed them during his voyage. Hence,
both statements are correct.