Star clusters are groups of stars bound together by gravity, with a common center. There are two main types: open clusters, which contain younger stars and are more vulnerable to separation, and global clusters, which contain older stars and are believed to have formed when galaxies first came into existence. Open clusters tend to contain stars made up of heavy particles, while global clusters usually contain a large number of closely related stars. If a star cluster breaks apart, the individual stars may be grouped together as an association.
Star clusters are large groups of individual stars centered around the same force of gravity. Each individual star can be located near the center of gravitational attraction or along the periphery. Together, the group of stars resemble a larger circle. There are several major types of star clusters, including global and open clusters.
The main feature that identifies star clusters is the fact that each star in the cluster travels around the same center. That common center is a force of gravity that binds all stars together. Star clusters are also known as systems and may be part of a larger galaxy, such as the Milky Way.
Because the same gravitational force binds star clusters together, the center of star clusters tends to be quite bright. That brightness appears to dissipate as clustered groups of stars settle farther from the center. Despite the fact that the same force binds stars together, a star cluster does not remain stationary. Over time, these clusters may move away from each other or separate into two segments.
An open star cluster is more vulnerable to these separations. These clusters tend to contain younger stars and may be fragmented by molecular clouds. Open star clusters also have fewer stars. Clusters continue to move and expand for a period of time, and individual stars can keep the same direction of orbit if they separate.
If a star cluster breaks apart, the individual stars may be grouped together as an association. This is a group of stars moving in the same direction, but not gathered around a common center. An example of this would be the earth’s sun and other stars in the solar system that are considered “nearby.”
Open clusters tend to contain stars made up of heavy particles. This is because these particles remain when stars go supernovae and die. Because stars in an open cluster are younger, they tend to use this material when they form.
Unlike open clusters, global star clusters consist of older stars. This type of cluster usually contains a large number of closely related stars. There may be several hundred of these clusters in a galaxy. Global clusters are believed to have formed when galaxies first came into existence.
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