Star cluster

Definition

A star cluster is a group of stars that are gravitationally bound and move together through space. They can be categorized into open clusters and globular clusters based on their characteristics and formation history.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Open clusters contain younger stars and are found in the disk of the galaxy.
2. Globular clusters are older, denser collections of stars located in the halo of the galaxy.
3. Star clusters provide critical insights into stellar evolution as all member stars are roughly the same age and distance from Earth.
4. The Pleiades is a well-known example of an open cluster visible to the naked eye.
5. Globular clusters like M13 contain some of the oldest known stars, often used to estimate the age of the Milky Way.

Review Questions

• What is the main difference between open and globular star clusters?
• Why are star clusters important for studying stellar evolution?
• Name one famous open cluster and one famous globular cluster.

Related terms

Galaxy: A massive system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity.

Nebula: A giant cloud of dust and gas in space, often a region where new stars are born or remnants from dead or dying stars.

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram: A graph that plots stars according to their brightness and temperature, used to study their evolutionary stages.