Frontiers Lecture: Low-Mass Galaxies

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

7 pm

Four telescopes, part of the Very Large Telescope array in Chile, seen against a brilliant night sky full of stars.
J. Colosimo/European Space Agency
Two of the Milky Way’s most prominent satellite galaxies, the LMC and the SMC, extend their influence far beyond what we can see.  

As these satellite galaxies interact with and spiral toward our galaxy, they stir both visible matter and the unseen dark matter halo, leaving imprints on the cosmic evolution of our galactic neighborhood.

Gurtina Besla, professor and theoretical astrophysicist, has reshaped conventional understanding of these galaxies, showing they are likely recent arrivals rather than long-term companions. Using cutting-edge simulations and real data from missions like Gaia, she reveals how the LMC’s motion disturbs the Milky Way’s dark matter halo, offering new insights into galaxy formation. 

The Museum’s Frontiers Lecture series explores cutting-edge astrophysics topics. This program is recommended for ages 16+. 

This program utilizes OpenSpace software supported by NASA under award No NNX16AB93A. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.