Can you see a globular cluster with the naked eye?

Yes, a few of the brightest, like Omega Centauri, appear as faint, fuzzy stars from dark locations.

Are there globular clusters outside the Milky Way?

Yes, most large galaxies have their own systems of globular clusters orbiting them.

How many stars are in a typical globular cluster?

They typically contain between tens of thousands to millions of stars.

Why are globular clusters important to astronomers?

They are cosmic fossils; their old age helps us date the universe and understand galactic evolution.

Is “globular cluster” formal?

Globular cluster is usually technical/scientific in register.

How do you pronounce “globular cluster”?

Globular cluster: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɒbjʊlə ˈklʌstə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɑːbjələr ˈklʌstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

globular cluster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low

UK/ˈɡlɒbjʊlə ˈklʌstə/US/ˈɡlɑːbjələr ˈklʌstər/

Technical/Scientific

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “globular cluster” mean?

A spherical collection of stars that orbits a galactic core as a satellite.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A spherical collection of stars that orbits a galactic core as a satellite.

A densely packed, roughly spherical grouping of very old stars, gravitationally bound together, typically found in the halo of a galaxy.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical or spelling differences. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).

Connotations

Identical technical connotations in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally low-frequency and specialised in both UK and US English, confined to scientific contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “globular cluster” in a Sentence

The globular cluster [verb: orbits, contains, lies]...Astronomers [verb: discovered, observed, studied] the globular cluster.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

dense globular clusterold globular clusterMilky Way globular clusterobserve a globular clusterstudy globular clusters

medium

nearby globular clustermassive globular clusterpopulation of globular clusterscore of a globular cluster

weak

beautiful globular clusterfaint globular clustermap of globular clusters

Examples

Examples of “globular cluster” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

The globular-cluster population is ancient.
They published a globular-cluster survey.

American English

The globular cluster population is ancient.
They published a globular cluster survey.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in astronomy, astrophysics, and physics papers and textbooks.

Everyday

Virtually never used in everyday conversation.

Technical

The primary context. Used in research, telescope observation logs, and scientific software.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “globular cluster”

Neutral

spherical star cluster

Weak

star cluster (broader term)stellar cluster (broader term)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “globular cluster”

open cluster

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “globular cluster”

Mispronouncing 'globular' as 'global-cluster'.
Confusing with 'galactic cluster' (an older term for open cluster).
Using it as a general term for any group of stars.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, a few of the brightest, like Omega Centauri, appear as faint, fuzzy stars from dark locations.
: Yes, most large galaxies have their own systems of globular clusters orbiting them.
: They typically contain between tens of thousands to millions of stars.
: They are cosmic fossils; their old age helps us date the universe and understand galactic evolution.
: A spherical collection of stars that orbits a galactic core as a satellite.
: Globular cluster is usually technical/scientific in register.
: Globular cluster: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɒbjʊlə ˈklʌstə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɑːbjələr ˈklʌstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a globe (globular) made entirely of stars clustered tightly together.

Conceptual Metaphor

A celestial beehive/swarm (emphasising dense collection).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The Milky Way galaxy is surrounded by a halo of over 150 known .

Multiple Choice

What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes a globular cluster from an open cluster?