What is the approximate age estimate for stars found in globular clusters?
Answer
12 billion years
Globular clusters are recognized for containing some of the universe's oldest known objects. Astronomical analysis consistently yields age estimates for these systems that approach 12 billion years. This extreme antiquity makes them vital tools, functioning as cosmic chronometers for studying stellar evolution. This longevity stands in stark contrast to open clusters, which are significantly younger, rarely surviving past a few hundred million years. The common age within a globular cluster stems from the fact that all constituent stars condensed simultaneously from a single, massive progenitor cloud of gas and dust.
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