One of the closest galaxies to the Milky Way is hiding a second galaxy behind it, new research reveals

New research suggests Small Magellanic Cloud contains two separate stellar nurseries thousands of light- years apart.

The dwarf galaxy was previously thought to consist of multiple components, but it is somewhat obscured by interstellar clouds of gas and dust.

Researchers tracked the movement of gas clouds and young stars being born within them around the small galaxy.

One mystery is whether the two objects have been drawn together by gravity.