When the Magellanic Clouds cozy up to each other, stars are born
Five synchronized peaks of star formation reveal the two galaxies’ most intimate encounters
![two Magellanic clouds in the night sky over Mayasia](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/032922_kc_magellanic-clouds_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Seen here from Malaysia, the Magellanic Clouds periodically sweep past each other, triggering the birth of new stars.
MXW Stock/iStock/Getty Images Plus