What term is sometimes used for the individual stars that remain after an open cluster structure has completely broken down?
Answer
Field stars
When an open cluster disperses due to gravitational instability and tidal stripping, the individual stars that were once members do not cease to exist; rather, they continue their independent existence within the galaxy. These resultant, formerly clustered stars are referred to as 'field stars.' Although they are no longer gravitationally associated with their original group, these field stars retain the defining characteristics of their birth, meaning they share the same relative age and chemical composition as the original cluster members, even though they are now scattered throughout the galactic disk.
Related Questions
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