Milky Way Galaxy Major components of the Galaxyastronomy

Major components of the Galaxy » Star clusters and stellar associations

Although most stars in the Galaxy exist either as single stars like the Sun or as double stars, there are many conspicuous groups and clusters of stars that contain tens to thousands of members. These objects can be subdivided into three types: globular clusters, open clusters, and stellar associations. They differ primarily in age and in the number of member stars.

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Milky Way Galaxy. (2008). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved December 01, 2008, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/382567/Milky-Way-Galaxy

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