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open cluster |
Also found in: Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.01 sec. |
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open cluster, see star cluster star cluster, a group of stars near each other in space and resembling each other in certain characteristics that suggest a common origin for the group. Stars in the same cluster move at the same rate and in the same direction. ..... Click the link for more information. . open clusteror galactic clusterAny group of Population I (see Populations I and II) stars with a common origin, held together by mutual gravitation (not to be confused with a cluster of galaxies). Stars in open clusters are much more scattered than those in globular clusters. All known open clusters contain from about 10 to 1,000 or more stars (about half contain fewer than 100) and have diameters of 5–75 light-years. More than 1,000 have been discovered in the Milky Way Galaxy; well-known examples include the Pleiades and the Hyades. open cluster [′ō·pən ′kləs·tər] (astronomy) One of the groupings of stars that are concentrated along the central plane of the Milky Way; most have an asymmetrical appearance and are loosely assembled, and the stars are concentrated in their central region; they may contain from a dozen to many hundreds of stars. Also known as galactic cluster. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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The subject of the telescope's first photographs was part of an open star cluster known as NGC 3532 in the southern-sky constellation Carina, or the Ship's Keel. |
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