The Universe ~ The Search for Cosmic Clusters

The Pleiades star cluster (which is an example of an open cluster)

Today on Far Future Horizons we present another exciting episode of the acclaimed History Channel series The Universe, concerning the Search for Cosmic Clusters.

Cosmic clusters are the one-stop-shopping places for learning all about the nature, variety and evolution of stars in the Universe. 

A Globular Cluster

They are unique, because in clusters, all the stars were born at about the same time, from the same material and all are at the same approximate distance from Earth. This means we can be sure that any differences among them are due to their true natures and not distorted by different distances from Earth and other factors.

Galactic Clusters 

In this episode, two kinds of star clusters in the galaxy are explored. "Open Clusters" are young, live in the spiral arms of the galaxy and give us insight into the birth and formation of stars. "Globular Clusters" are old, live in the outskirts of the galaxy and could be nearly as old as the Universe itself. In addition, explore Galaxy clusters to reveal the large-scale structure of the Universe, which is expanding so fast that eventually all other galaxies, except for our own, will literally disappear from our sight.

The Universe is available on DVD from Amazon.com and the History Channel’s online store.

The Universe ~ The Search for Cosmic Clusters

The Universe S04 E07 - The Search for Cosmic... by kaanozten

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