Globular Clusters - ASTROCAMP

Globular clusters are large, spherical clusters of stars that are gravitationally bound to each other. They are some of the oldest structures in the universe, with ages of up to 13 billion years, and are thought to have formed early in the history of the Milky Way and other galaxies.

Globular clusters typically contain anywhere from tens of thousands to millions of stars, which are densely packed together in a region that is only a few dozen light-years across. The stars in globular clusters are typically very old, with low metal content and a relatively simple chemical composition.

One of the defining features of globular clusters is their spherical shape, which is due to the strong gravitational attraction between the stars. This shape is maintained over time as the stars in the cluster move around each other, interacting through gravity.