The Small Cloud of Magellan . ... Credit Copyright: Anglo-Australian Telescope Board Explanation: Almost unknown to casual observers in the northern hemisphere, the southern sky contains two diffuse wonders known as the Magellanic Clouds . The Magellanic Clouds are small irregular galaxies orbiting our own larger Milky Way spiral galaxy. ... There is evidence that the SMC is actually two galaxies superposed to appear as one. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ...