Groups of stars refer to clusters or associations of stars that are gravitationally bound and appear relatively close together when observed from Earth. These groups can take various forms, including open clusters, globular clusters, and stellar associations.
Open clusters are made up of dozens to thousands of stars, relatively young and loosely bound by gravity. They are typically found in the disks of galaxies and have a wide range of ages. These clusters are often characterized by their bright, easily identifiable stars that can form various shapes and patterns.
Globular clusters, on the other hand, are more densely packed and contain hundreds of thousands to millions of stars. They are typically much older than open clusters and are often found in the halo of galaxies. The stars in globular clusters are tightly bound and exhibit a spherical or globular shape. They are known for their high concentration of stars in a small region of space.
Stellar associations are groups of young stars that are formed from the same molecular cloud. These associations are often dispersed and poorly bound by gravity. They are characterized by their hot, young, and massive stars, which may stay together for a relatively short period before drifting apart.
Overall, groups of stars provide astronomers with valuable insights into the formation, evolution, and dynamics of stellar systems. They offer a diverse range of stellar populations and allow for the study of various astrophysical phenomena, such as stellar evolution, star formation, and galactic dynamics.
