The Ages of the Galactic Globular Clusters

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Stellar System, Star Clusters, Ages.

Scientific paper

The Galactic globular clusters are believed to be among the most ancient objects for which reliable ages can be determined. As the Universe can not be younger than the oldest object it contains, the oldest Galactic globular clusters provide one of the few most important constraints that one can have on cosmological models. Latest estimates indicate that the absolute age of the oldest globular clusters is 14 (plus or minus) 3 Gyr. The calibration of absolute ages is still subject to observational and theoretical uncertainties at the ~~ 20% level, and represents a major limitation on our ability to test cosmological models. However, relative ages are starting to be much better known due to the super colour-magnitude diagrams that have been obtained through the use of CCD detectors on large telescopes and the Hubble Space Telescope. The available data are consistent with the majority of Galactic globular clusters being virtually coeval but with a minority having significantly lower ages. The existence of "prehistoric" clusters with ages of around 50 Gyr, as hypothesised in the quasi-steady state cosmology, should be readily recognised.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The Ages of the Galactic Globular Clusters does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Ages of the Galactic Globular Clusters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Ages of the Galactic Globular Clusters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1661661

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.