The Astrology of Space - Matrix Software

The Astrology of Space
range of 2-6 parsecs for those clusters of average
size.
They are also much closer to us than the globulars, or
at least the ones visible from our vantage point in the
galaxy. The open clusters occur in the disk or plane of
the galaxy along with the great concentration of gas
and dust clouds. For this reason, we cannot see the
more distant members of this group. Keep in mind
that not only are the globular clusters intrinsically
brighter, but their relatively higher galactic latitudes
put them out of the dusty galactic plane and into view.
All open clusters show a concentration to the plane of
the galaxy with the exception of those clusters, which
are situated so near to us that they appear projected
in high galactic latitudes. The Coma Berenices cluster
is one of these. While some 1,000 open clusters are
known, it is estimated that there are about 18,000 of
these objects distributed throughout the galactic
plane.
We have noted that the dense globular clusters are
able to defy the disruptive tidal forces within our
galaxy and survive forever in terms of the life of the
galaxy, not so for the open clusters. The great disk of
our galaxy revolves like some great wheel through
space and time. While to us, this spinning disk
appears stationary (we are like a flashbulb picture), it
has a powerful motion in terms of the life span of
stellar objects. The open clusters have much shorter
life spans than do the globular clusters. The fact that
so many open clusters are found tells us that these
objects are continuously being born or formed.
Otherwise they would have vanished from the galaxy
long ago.
In fact, the open clusters are the Johnny Appleseeds
of our galaxy. In endless formation, they arise
205