DAN
Welcome to Idaho Skies for
the week of February 3rd. We’re your hosts, Dan…
BENJAMIN
…and Benjamin.
DAN
On Monday night, the moon drifts through the edge of the
Hyades star cluster. The Hyades is one of the largest star clusters in our sky.
Star clusters like this are called galactic star clusters and they formed
recently from a cloud of dust and gas. Over time, the dust and gas dissipates and
the stars drift apart.
BENJAMIN
Galactic star clusters have the appearance of a random
scattering of stars. This is the opposite of another type of star cluster, the
globular star cluster. Globulars are spherical in shape and much older than
galactics. Sadly, there are no globular star clusters close enough to appear as
anything but a fuzzy spot through binoculars.
DAN
If the sun was a member of a globular star cluster, then our
night-time sky would be filled with thousands of bright stars. There would be
no night, and the sky would always be filled with light. Unfortunately, there
may be no planets inside of globular clusters. That’s because of the typical
age of globular star clusters.
BENJAMIN
Globular star clusters are filled with old stars, formed
when only hydrogen and helium filled the universe. Over time, these early stars
fused elements into heavier ones like carbon, oxygen, and iron. But without
these heavier elements, planets and even life can’t form. So chances are that
no one is enjoying the amazing view inside of a globular cluster.
DAN
That’s Idaho Skies
for the week of February 3rd.
BEJAMIN
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this
week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Benjamin…
DAN
…and Dan.
BENJAMIN
Dark skies and bright stars.
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