Science, Vol.276, No.5317, 1370-1374, 1997
Globular-Clusters at Low and High-Redshift
Globular clusters form homogeneous populations of stars. On the one hand, because initial conditions are homogeneous within one cluster but vary from cluster to cluster, their study can shed light on stellar evolution processes. On the other hand, globular clusters contain the oldest known stellar population in galaxies. The study of the characteristics of globular cluster systems is one way to understand parent galaxy formation and early evolution. Unfortunately, a direct observation of the time when globular clusters and galaxies formed is still out of reach for today’s telescopes, but this remains a major goal.
Keywords:SPACE-TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS;INITIAL MASS FUNCTION;STAR-CLUSTERS;GALACTIC BULGE;GALAXY;AGE;EVOLUTION;HALO;PHOTOMETRY;SYSTEMS