Star Clusters

Star clusters are groups of stars that are closely bound by gravity and often formed from the same giant molecular cloud. There are two main types: open clusters, which contain fewer, younger stars and are found in the Milky Way, and globular clusters, which are densely packed with older stars and orbit the galaxy. Studying star clusters helps astronomers understand stellar evolution, as the stars within a cluster share similar ages and compositions, allowing for comparative studies of their life cycles and properties.