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How are the large and small Magellanic Clouds interacting with our very own Milky Way Galaxy?

a) They are merging with the Milky Way.
b) They are in a gravitational dance around the Milky Way.
c) They are drifting away from the Milky Way.
d) They are colliding with the Milky Way.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are in a gravitational dance around the Milky Way, leading to their distortion and the creation of the Magellanic Stream.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are interacting with our Milky Way Galaxy through gravitational forces. The Small Magellanic Cloud, which is substantially less massive than the Large Magellanic Cloud, has been shaped into its elongated form due to these gravitational interactions. The disruption caused by the Milky Way's gravity has resulted in a significant amount of debris known as the Magellanic Stream, a trail of high-velocity gas clouds emanating from these interactions. The correct answer to the question is that they are in a gravitational dance around the Milky Way.

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