Open & Globular Star Clusters

So Different but so Similar

By Chris Benton

Aim – To compare & contrast features of open & globular star clusters discussing their differences & similarities

Open star clusters, situated in star-forming regions of galaxies, are relatively small groups of young stars loosely gravitationally bound. In contrast, globular clusters are large groups of old stars tightly gravitationally bound into compact spherical objects and usually observed in the stellar halos of galaxies.

During this online presentation, Chris Benton discusses these features that make the two types appear so different, how pressure density waves propagate through galactic disks to trigger star formation, followed by new ideas on how globular clusters form. You will then see how these two distinct star clusters test theories of stellar evolution and may represent two extremes of the same object created through similar physical processes.

We look forward to seeing you all on our YouTube website to view this online using the below link.

https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Best regards

The AAS Team