Advertisement
Advertisement
globular cluster
noun
, Astronomy.
- a comparatively older, spherically symmetrical, compact group of up to a million old stars, held together by mutual gravitation, that are located in the galactic halo and move in giant and highly eccentric orbits around the galactic center.
globular cluster
noun
- astronomy a densely populated spheroidal star cluster with the highest concentration of stars near its centre, found in the galactic halo and in other galaxies
globular cluster
/ glŏb′yə-lər /
- A spherical mass made up of thousands to hundreds of thousands of densely packed stars of nearly the same age (typically very old). Globular clusters occupy the inner regions of a galactic halo and revolve around the nucleus of galaxies in highly elliptical orbits inclined to the disk of the spiral arms. There are approximately 150 of these clusters in the Milky Way. It is believed that globular clusters can provide information about the evolution and lifespan of stars.
- Compare open cluster
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of globular cluster1
First recorded in 1855–60
Discover More
Example Sentences
A homely illustration may serve to show the appearance which a globular cluster presents in a good telescope.
From Project Gutenberg
The largest and most magnificent globular cluster in the heavens is ω Centauri, in the Southern Hemisphere.
From Project Gutenberg
The Cerberans, an intelligent saurian race from a globular cluster, exploded into the Galaxy in vast numbers.
From Project Gutenberg
The Cerberans were crushed, but the infested area was huge and the invasion of the globular cluster took time.
From Project Gutenberg
Eddington concludes that this Taurus group is a globular cluster with a slight central condensation.
From Project Gutenberg
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse