Astronomers discover metal-poor globular cluster

Artistic representation of the Andromeda Galaxy with globular cluster RBC EXT8 and its metal-poor stars. Globular clusters contain some of the oldest stars in a galaxy.
In summary
- Astronomers have found a globular star cluster with a record-breaking low amount of metals
- Globular clusters are key components of galaxies thought to form very early in the history of the Universe
- The cluster of stars was found in the halo of the Andromeda galaxy
An international team of astronomers including Director of Swinburne’s Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing (CAS), Professor Jean Brodie, has discovered a globular cluster of stars that contains extremely few metals.
The interesting cluster of stars was found in the Andromeda galaxy. Galaxies, like Andromeda and the Milky Way, are massive systems made of billions of stars, gas, dust and dark matter.
So why is one group of stars so important?
“Stars tell us important things about galaxies and their history, helping us understand more about how they form and change over time,” says Dr Rebecca Allen, a galactic astronomer at CAS, not associated with the study.
This system of stars (about a million of them in a spherical bundle) is what astronomers call a globular cluster. It is located in the outskirts, or halo, of the Andromeda galaxy. Globular clusters are key components of galaxies thought to form very early in the history of the Universe. They are bright fossils that trace the mergers and acquisitions that build up the galaxies we see today.
Until now large globular clusters all contained at least a certain amount of metals, which set limits on where and when they could have formed. As galaxies evolve and grow over time, stars are formed and die, increasing the quantity of heavy elements present in the galaxy. The more massive a galaxy is the more metals it should have.
This is where the globular cluster, called RBC EXT8, comes in. It is extremely metal poor, but also massive. The stars in the cluster have, on average, 800 times less iron than our Sun and are three times more iron-poor than the previous globular cluster record-holder. EXT8 is also extremely deficient in magnesium.

Director of the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Professor Jean Brodie.
“As a high-mass cluster, it should have been made by a relatively high-mass galaxy, which in turn would have a relatively high metallicity,” says co-author of the study, Professor Brodie.
“The issue is that very low metallicity clusters are expected to form in very low-mass galaxies, which can make only low-mass clusters. Such clusters would then have dissolved by the present day.
“This discovery is exciting because the idea of a ‘metallicity floor’ for globular clusters, that must contain some minimum amount of heavy metals, underpinned so much of our thinking about how these very old star clusters formed in the early Universe.
“Our finding contradicts the standard picture and that is always fun!”
The findings are published in the journal Science.
Related articles
-
- Astronomy
A brief history: what we know so far about fast radio bursts across the universe
Associate Professor Ryan Shannon and CSIRO Astronomer Keith Bannister explain the history of fast radio bursts, and what we know so far about this phenomenon
Friday 12 February 2021 -
- Astronomy
Melbhenge sunset spectacle offers rare photo opportunity
When the setting sun aligns with the east–west streets of Melbourne’s CBD, amateur photographers are in for a rare treat..
Monday 01 February 2021 -
- Astronomy
- Technology
- Science
- Engineering
Launching students' ideas into space
The Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge is launching high school students' experiments into space, with the help of talented Swinburne student mentors and expert staff.
Thursday 11 February 2021 -
- Astronomy
- Science
- Aviation
- Engineering
Swinburne’s new space institute blasts off
Swinburne’s new Space Technology and Industry Institute will bring together world-class research, education and technology capabilities to tackle challenges at the edge of human understanding and imagination.
Friday 29 January 2021 -
- Astronomy
The best gift in the galaxy: an astronomer’s guide to buying a home telescope
Swinburne astrophysicists share their tips on purchasing a telescope which you can use at home to observe moons, gas giant rings and maybe even deep sky objects.
Thursday 17 December 2020