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A satellite galaxy is a collection of gravitationally bound stars orbiting a larger, central galaxy. The satellite galaxy typically has a mass of , with some as high as , while the central galaxy has a typical mass of . This relationship is distinct from two interacting galaxies of similar size, such as the Milky Way and Andromeda, which form a binary system. As satellite galaxies are diffuse and dim, they are difficult to observe even near the Milky Way; 12 of the 24 satellite galaxies of the Milky Way have been discovered since 2003.[1]
Unlike the more stable central galaxies, satellite galaxies are frequently disrupted by gravitational effects, such as tidal stripping, and drag effects, such as ram-pressure stripping. This characteristic disruption of satellite galaxies is thought to explain many of their physical properties.