Magellanic Cloud presents a different view of the galaxyΓÇÖs shape. The stellar bar, visible even to the naked eye, is absent. Instead, dust is distributed in a roughly disk-shaped pattern. This distribution confirms the galaxyΓÇÖs irregular structure. There is no trace of the arms found in spiral galaxies, yet, unlike elliptical galaxies, matter is distributed as in a flattened pancake.
The many bright spots embedded within wispy clouds are easy to see. They are the birthplaces of stars. When clouds of gas collapse under the force of gravity, they create groups of new stars. The largest of these may shine thousands of times more brightly than our Sun, al- though they may be only ten times larger. These hot, short-lived stars
