Glossary term: 麦哲伦星云
Description: 麦哲伦星云是两个环绕着银河系的星系。大麦哲伦星云（LMC）的直径约为 14000 光年，小麦哲伦星云（SMC）的直径约为 7000 光年。SMC 是一个不规则星系，但 LMC 在受到银河系引力潮汐力破坏（瓦解）之前可能具有螺旋结构。这两个星系都可以用肉眼看到微弱的光芒。早在几千年前，地球赤道和南部地区的人们就已经知道这两个星系了，并给它们起了很多名字。中世纪的伊斯兰天文学家通过旅行者的故事了解到它们。它们的欧洲名称源自斐迪南·麦哲伦，他的航行是欧洲人首次对这些星系进行观测。
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Term and definition status: The original definition of this term in English have been approved by a research astronomer and a teacher The translation of this term and its definition is still awaiting approval
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