Are LMC, SMC approaching the Milky Way ?

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SUMMARY

The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are currently approaching the Milky Way Galaxy (MWG) at velocities of approximately 40 km/sec and 100 km/sec, respectively, based on calculations that account for the Sun's velocity of 220 km/sec towards galactic longitude b=90 degrees. Both galaxies are classified as irregular dwarf galaxies and are part of the Local Group. Recent studies suggest that the LMC and SMC may not be as gravitationally bound to the MWG as previously believed, indicating a potential shift in our understanding of their dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of galactic dynamics and velocities
  • Familiarity with the Local Group of galaxies
  • Knowledge of astronomical measurement techniques
  • Basic comprehension of the Milky Way's structure
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the gravitational interactions between the LMC, SMC, and MWG
  • Study the implications of the LMC and SMC's velocities on galactic evolution
  • Explore the latest findings on the Andromeda Galaxy's approach to the MWG
  • Examine the methodologies used in measuring galactic velocities, such as redshift analysis
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students interested in galactic dynamics and the structure of the Local Group will benefit from this discussion.

Widdekind
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Are LMC, SMC approaching the Milky Way ??

Are the LMC & SMC approaching towards, or receding from, the MWG ?

According to my calculations, using the data from here, and accounting for a ~220 km / sec velocity of the Sun, towards galactic longitude b=90 degrees, the LMC is moving nearly 40km/sec, towards b=90 degrees, in the rest frame of the MWG, while the SMC is moving nearly +100km/sec in the same said direction.

If the calculations are correct, both the LMC & SMC seem to be moving towards the MWG. But is this correct?
 
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According to http://www.maa.clell.de/Messier/E/Xtra/NGC/lmc.html
"Both Magellanic Clouds are irregular dwarf galaxies orbiting our Milky Way galaxy, and thus are members of our Local Group of galaxies."

There are closer galaxies - http://www.maa.clell.de/Messier/E/More/cma_dw.html and http://www.maa.clell.de/Messier/E/More/sagdeg.html

Apparently the Andromeda galaxy is moving toward MWG. "The modern values for Galactic rotation and heliocentric radial velocity yield that the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way are approaching each other at about 100 km/sec."
http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m031.html

http://www.seds.org/messier/more/local.html

Apparently there is new information on the LMC and SMC. They may not be as bound to the MWG as previously thought.
http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/oir/eg/lmc.html
http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0508457
 
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Thanks for the response & refs !
 

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