Welcome to PF, Jordi.Jordi Heguilor said:
Greg Bernhardt said:
Globular clusters do not collapse because of a phenomenon known as "gravitational binding energy." This refers to the amount of energy that is required to pull the stars in a cluster apart. In globular clusters, the gravitational binding energy is strong enough to counteract the force of gravity pulling the stars towards the center, preventing them from collapsing.
Globular clusters maintain their shape through a balance between gravity and the centrifugal force caused by the collective motion of the stars within the cluster. The gravitational force pulls the stars towards the center, while the centrifugal force pushes them away. As long as these forces are balanced, the cluster will maintain its shape.
Dark matter and black holes play a significant role in preventing globular clusters from collapsing. Dark matter, which is invisible and does not interact with light, provides additional gravitational pull that helps to stabilize the cluster. Black holes, which are extremely dense and have strong gravitational pull, also contribute to the overall gravitational binding energy of the cluster.
No, not all globular clusters have the same lifespan. The lifespan of a globular cluster depends on several factors, such as its mass, density, and distance from the center of its galaxy. Generally, larger and denser clusters have shorter lifespans, while smaller and less dense clusters can survive for billions of years.
While globular clusters are stable and long-lasting structures, they can eventually collapse due to a process known as "core collapse." This occurs when the central region of the cluster becomes more densely packed with stars, increasing the gravitational pull and causing the cluster to shrink. However, this process can take billions of years to occur, and some clusters may never experience core collapse.