We identify 68 distant stars in JWST/NIRCam ERO images of the field of galaxy
cluster SMACS J0723.3-7327 (SMACS 0723). Given the relatively small
(∼10∘) angular separation between SMACS 0723 and the Large
Magellanic Cloud, it is likely that these stars are associated with the LMC
outskirts or Leading Arm. This is further bolstered by a spectral energy
distribution analysis, which suggests an excess of stars at a physical distance
of 40−100 kpc, consistent with being associated with or located behind the
Magellanic system. In particular, we find that the overall surface density of
stars brighter than 27.0 mag in the field of SMACS 0723 is ∼2.3 times that
of stars in a blank field with similar galactic latitude (the North Ecliptic
Pole Time Domain Field), and that the density of stars in the SMACS 0723 field
with SED-derived distances consistent with the Magellanic system is ∼7.3
times larger than that of the blank field. The candidate stars at these
distances are consistent with a stellar population at the same distance modulus
with [Fe/H] =−1.0 and an age of ∼5.0 Gyr. On the assumption that all
of the 68 stars are associated with the LMC, then the stellar density of the
LMC at the location of the SMACS 0723 field is ∼710 stars kpc−3,
which helps trace the density of stars in the LMC outskirts.Comment: Submitted to ApJ, comments welcom