New study shows Small Magellanic Cloud is two smaller galaxies

Re:New study shows Small Magellanic Cloud is two smaller gal... by PeterCorless on Tuesday January 02, 2024 @06:58PM (#38848897)

The Small Magellenic Cloud was, heretofore, presumed to contain about 3 billion stars, vs. 30 billion for the Large Magellenic Cloud, and 100 billion stars for the Milky Way.

The Small Magellenic Cloud was, heretofore, estimated to be about 18,900 light years in diameter.

Nebula clusters are generally on the order of magnitude of a few thousand stars at most, and only hundreds of lightyears in size.

However the division of the two smaller parts of the SMC works out, I believe both deserve more than simple appelation of "nebulae."

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Re:New study shows Small Magellanic Cloud is two smaller gal... by angiosperm on Wednesday January 03, 2024 @12:53AM (#38851203)

The point is that "cloud" is objectively the wrong name. As is "small".

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Re:New study shows Small Magellanic Cloud is two smaller gal... by teamonkey on Wednesday January 03, 2024 @05:36AM (#38852569)

So as a replacement for the word “cloud” you’re suggesting instead the Latin word “nebula”, meaning “cloud”

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Re:New study shows Small Magellanic Cloud is two smaller gal... by HelloMcFly on Wednesday January 03, 2024 @09:07AM (#38854189)

Doesn't this level of literalism in taxonomy feel a bit sterile and unnecessary? It sure does to me.

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