Large Magellanic Cloud #1

Described in some books as a 'barred-spiral' galaxy, the LMC is the tattered remains of a once beautiful spiral. Now containing about 10 billion stars, it may once have been three or four times as massive. The lost material now forms part of our own Milky-Way, as well as a vast stream of stars and gas, reaching in a loop between the two. The luminous patch near the image centre is the Famous Tarantula Nebula - a star forming region of truly massive proportions. One day, the LMC will be swallowed by the Milky-Way, but until then, it makes a lovely night sky companion. Photo details: Canon 350D, 2 1/2 minute exposure with a Sigma 70-200mm lens, ISO 800 @ f-2.8.

 Image taken October 20th 2006