1 globular cluster | Definition of globular cluster

globular cluster

noun

Definition of globular cluster

: any of various approximately spherical clusters of gravitationally associated stars that typically populate galactic halos

called also globular

Examples of globular cluster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other UDGs seem to have lots of globular clusters, too. Quanta Magazine, "Strange Dark Galaxy Puzzles Astrophysicists," 27 Sep. 2016 Previous studies had suggested that a globular cluster might be the first place where intelligent life is identified in the galaxy. Nola Taylor Redd, Space.com, "Omega Centauri Is a Terrible Place to Look for Habitable Planets," 15 Aug. 2018 Notable features in this swath of the southern sky include the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds and a globular cluster called NGC 104, also known as 47 Tucanae. Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, "NASA unveils first images from TESS probe's alien planet hunting quest," 18 Sep. 2018 The point sources proved to be 10 globular clusters—compact and spherical groupings of stars, orbiting the galaxy’s core. Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, "Astronomers Boggle at Distant Galaxy Devoid of Dark Matter," 28 Mar. 2018 The scopes detected 10 compact groups of these stars, also known as globular clusters, within the galaxy, according to a press release from Gemini. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Scientists Thought All Galaxies Had Dark Matter, but They Just Found One Without It," 30 Mar. 2018 The researchers simulated 24 globular clusters, ranging in size from 200,000 to 2 million stars, to study the interactions within them during the course of 12 billion years, the statement said. Elise Takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "Black holes can multiply on their own in massive star clusters, MIT researchers say," 11 Apr. 2018 Using information from the Keck telescopes, the team found the globular clusters were moving much slower than expected. Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, "Astronomers Boggle at Distant Galaxy Devoid of Dark Matter," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'globular cluster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of globular cluster

1785, in the meaning defined above

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