dense ball of bright pinpricks, which are stars in the globular NGC 1851

The Black Hole Files with Camille Carlisle

Mystery Objects Uncovered in Globular Clusters

Astronomers have found two different star clusters with an enigmatic source inside. Are these objects neutron stars or black holes?

Captured globulars

Explore the Night with Bob King

See Summer's Best “Gobbled” Globulars

Mergers between the Milky Way and long-ago dwarf galaxies have enriched our skies with dozens of iconic globular clusters. Many are visible in small telescopes.

Black field dotted with galaxies

Galaxies

“The Sparkler” Might be Our Milky Way’s Long-Lost Twin

Astronomers are using compact groups of stars to probe the history of a galaxy in the adolescent universe dubbed "The Sparkler."

Map of the Milky Way and the C-19 stellar stream

Milky Way

Astronomers Discover Celestial Ruins on Our Galaxy’s Edge

A stream of stars scattered across 15 degrees of sky was once part of a globular cluster torn apart by our galaxy’s gravity. The stars represent some of the oldest in the Milky Way.

An image of the globular cluster Messier 5

Stellar Science

Unlocking the History of Globular Cluster Messier 5

A new study uses precise measurements of chemical elements to explore the formation history of one of the oldest globular clusters in the Milky Way.

M71

Night Sky Sights

The Last Wildflowers: Globular Clusters Greet Autumn

These four globular clusters are easy to find in autumn skies and a perfect way to welcome the season.

illustration of X-ray binary system

Black Holes

Astronomy News: Galactic One-Two Punch, Black Hole Heartbeat Falters

In the news this week: Globular clusters have the detailed scoop on our galaxy's past, and a "heartbeat" black hole binary in the Milky Way has gone mysteriously dim.

Deep Sky

Hunting Bright Variable Stars in M5 and M13

Globular clusters are packed with variable stars, some of which are easy to see and follow in amateur telescopes. We explore M5 and M13, two of the season's finest.

Clusters

Imaging Foundations with Richard Wright

Star Clusters: The Low Hanging Fruit of Astrophotography

Star clusters are a terrific way to practice your astrophotography fundamentals!

Stellar Science

When a Star and a Binary Meet

What happens in the extreme environments of globular clusters when a star and a binary system meet? A team of scientists has new ideas about how these objects can deform, change their paths, spiral around each other, and merge.

Explore the Night with Bob King

Gobs of Globs — Tour 16 Spring Globular Clusters

Chandeliers of the galaxy, these distant stellar swarms fire our sense of wonder. Hop on and we'll tour 16 of season's finest!

Cast of Sparkling Characters

Deep Sky

Palling Around With Palomar Globular Clusters

The intriguing Palomar globular clusters will challenge observers with modest to large telescopes, while providing a satisfying ramble around the galactic halo.