Deep-sky object class · e.g. Omega Centauri
Globular Cluster
A dense, roughly spherical swarm of tens of thousands to millions of very old stars, tightly bound by gravity and orbiting in the halo of a galaxy. Globular clusters are among the oldest structures in the Universe, and their tightly packed, coeval stars make them benchmarks for stellar ages and the early history of the Galaxy.
Highlights
- ›Ancient million-star swarms in the galactic halo — e.g. Omega Centauri
Examples & related concepts
Across the encyclopedia
Knowledge connections
- Associated withDeep-Sky Object
- Associated withOpen Cluster
- Associated withOmega Centauri
- Associated withMessier 13 (Hercules Globular Cluster)
- Associated with47 Tuc Cluster
- Associated withOpen Cluster
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.