globular cluster
noun
: 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
The first hints of violence came when astronomers peering through the storied 200-inch telescope at Palomar Observatory (which Hubble was the first to use) found evidence in 1992 that the Milky Way was ripping apart some of the globular clusters in its halo.
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WIRED, 12 Nov. 2023
The Euclid telescope spied a globular cluster — a huge collection of hundreds of thousands of stars bound together by gravity — located approximately 7,800 light-years away from Earth.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023
This is the second-closest globular cluster to Earth, about 7,800 light-years away.
—WIRED, 7 Nov. 2023
European Space Agency Astronomers have said that globular clusters are some of the oldest objects in the universe, and thus could offer insights into how their host galaxies formed and evolved.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023
The globular cluster Messier 14, or M14, is home to more than 150,000 stars.
—Julia Musto, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2023
Discovered in 1714 by Edmond Halley, and located a scant 25,000 light-years from Earth, this globular cluster of several hundred thousand stars is 100 times more densely packed than any stars near our own Sun.
—Michael D'estries, Treehugger, 30 June 2023
Phil Plait on globular clusters: There’s another kind of cluster called a globular cluster, and these are roughly spherical clusters of hundreds of thousands or even a million stars.
—Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 21 Apr. 2023
It might also be seen in dense globular clusters populated by thousands of black holes.
—Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2023
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WIRED, 12 Nov. 2023
The Euclid telescope spied a globular cluster — a huge collection of hundreds of thousands of stars bound together by gravity — located approximately 7,800 light-years away from Earth.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023
This is the second-closest globular cluster to Earth, about 7,800 light-years away.
—WIRED, 7 Nov. 2023
European Space Agency Astronomers have said that globular clusters are some of the oldest objects in the universe, and thus could offer insights into how their host galaxies formed and evolved.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023
The globular cluster Messier 14, or M14, is home to more than 150,000 stars.
—Julia Musto, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2023
Discovered in 1714 by Edmond Halley, and located a scant 25,000 light-years from Earth, this globular cluster of several hundred thousand stars is 100 times more densely packed than any stars near our own Sun.
—Michael D'estries, Treehugger, 30 June 2023
Phil Plait on globular clusters: There’s another kind of cluster called a globular cluster, and these are roughly spherical clusters of hundreds of thousands or even a million stars.
—Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 21 Apr. 2023
It might also be seen in dense globular clusters populated by thousands of black holes.
—Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'globular cluster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1785, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near globular cluster
Cite this Entry
“Globular cluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/globular%20cluster. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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