A galaxy cluster, or a cluster of galaxies, is a structure that consists of anywhere from hundreds to thousands of galaxies that are bound together by gravity, [1] with typical masses ranging from 10 14 to 10 15 solar masses. Clusters consist of galaxies, heated gas, and dark matter. [2]

Defining the limits of galaxy clusters is imprecise as many clusters are still forming. In particular, clusters close to the Milky Way tend to be classified as galaxy clusters even when they are much smaller than more distant clusters. Some clusters exhibiting strong evidence of dark matter.

Clusters of galaxies are the most recent and most massive objects to have arisen in the hierarchical structure formation of the Universe and the study of clusters tells one about the way galaxies form and evolve.

Galaxy clusters are the largest objects in the universe that are held together by their own gravity. They contain hundreds or thousands of galaxies, lots of hot plasma, and a large amount of invisible dark matter. The Perseus Cluster, for example, has more than a thousand galaxies and is one of the most luminous sources of X-rays in the sky.

Feb 19, 2009 · Cluster of galaxies, Gravitationally bound grouping of galaxies, numbering from the hundreds to the tens of thousands. Large clusters of galaxies often exhibit extensive X-ray emission from intergalactic gas heated to tens of millions of degrees.

Oct 22, 2024 · Galaxy clusters contain many more galaxies, from hundreds to thousands. The Coma cluster, for example, houses over 1,000 individual galaxies and stretches over 20 million light-years across.

Sep 23, 2021 · Clusters of Galaxies. Most galaxies are not alone in the vast expanse of space, but are connected to one or more other galaxies by gravity. The same force that holds you onto the Earth can keep many individual galaxies bound together.

Dec 1, 2024 · Galaxy clusters form through the merging of galaxy groups, driven by gravitational forces. Examples of galaxy clusters include the Coma Cluster, Virgo Cluster, and Norma Cluster. The Coma Cluster contains over 1,000 galaxies and is located 321 million light-years away.

Galaxy clusters are the largest objects in the Universe held together by gravity. Chandra detects the superheated gas that fills the space between the hundreds and thousands of galaxies in these enormous clusters.

Feb 5, 2007 · The giant elliptical galaxy ESO 325-G004 looms large at the cluster's center. This galaxy is as massive as 100 billion suns. Hubble resolves thousands of globular star clusters orbiting ESO 325-G004. Globular clusters are compact groups of hundreds of thousands of stars that are gravitationally bound together.