<p>You have to assume a characteristic mass for the stars in the cluster. Usually, to get an approximate I go with stars of mass $1 M_\odot$.</p>

<p>Then, given the density of $10^6\ M_\odot.\mathrm{pc}^{-3}$ you have a density of stars of $\rho_\star = 10^6\ \mathrm{pc}^{-3}$. In a box of $1\ \mathrm{pc}^{3}$, you have $10^6$ stars, so the characteristic distance between stars is simply given by the density of stars to the minus one third:
$$ d_\mathrm{carac} = \rho_\star^{-1/3} \approx 10^{-2}\ \mathrm{pc} \approx 2000\ \mathrm{AU}.$$</p>

<p>Addendum: if you want to do a more correct calculation, you should take into account the different masses of stars to estimate the correct number of stars, using for example a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initial_mass_function#Chabrier_.282003.29">Chabrier</a> initial mass function and try to get the mass function at the age of the cluster. Because of the fact that stars of about $\geq 1 M_\odot$ reach their red giant branch and lose much of their material in less than the age of the cluster, it will decrease the mean star mass of the cluster to something between $0.1$ and $0.8 M_\odot$ ($0.3 M_\odot$ according to Rob Jeffries). However it won't change the order of magnitude of the mean distance between stars.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-12T08:45:22.067Z
Your average mass is too high. A 1 solar mass star has already evolved into a lower mass white dwarf at the age of globular clusters. About 0.3 would be better, but doesn't make a lot of difference to the final answer.
ProfRob
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-12T11:36:35.903Z
You're right about the mean mass and the age of the cluster. I'm including your comment.
cphyc
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-12T08:34:14.027Z
2016-09-12T11:42:15.383Z
2016-09-12T11:42:15.383Z
cphyc
<p>I've just learned about the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terzan_5" rel="nofollow">Terzan 5 globular cluster</a>, which according to Wikipedia has one of the highest star densities in our Galaxy - $10^6\ M_\odot/\mathrm{pc}^3$.</p>

<p>Problem is, I've no idea how to interpret this number. </p>

<p>So, the question is, what are the distances between stars in that cluster on average?</p>

<distances><globular-clusters>
How far apart are stars in Terzan 5 cluster?
Tomasz Pluskiewicz
# How far apart are stars in Terzan 5 cluster?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-09-12)

I've just learned about the [Terzan 5 globular cluster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terzan_5), which according to Wikipedia has one of the highest star densities in our Galaxy - $10^6\ M\_\odot/\mathrm{pc}^3$.

Problem is, I've no idea how to interpret this number.

So, the question is, what are the distances between stars in that cluster on average?

**Tags:** distances, globular-clusters


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-09-12. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

You have to assume a characteristic mass for the stars in the cluster. Usually, to get an approximate I go with stars of mass $1 M\_\odot$.

Then, given the density of $10^6\ M\_\odot.\mathrm{pc}^{-3}$ you have a density of stars of $\rho\_\star = 10^6\ \mathrm{pc}^{-3}$. In a box of $1\ \mathrm{pc}^{3}$, you have $10^6$ stars, so the characteristic distance between stars is simply given by the density of stars to the minus one third:
$$ d\_\mathrm{carac} = \rho\_\star^{-1/3} \approx 10^{-2}\ \mathrm{pc} \approx 2000\ \mathrm{AU}.$$

Addendum: if you want to do a more correct calculation, you should take into account the different masses of stars to estimate the correct number of stars, using for example a [Chabrier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initial_mass_function#Chabrier_.282003.29) initial mass function and try to get the mass function at the age of the cluster. Because of the fact that stars of about $\geq 1 M\_\odot$ reach their red giant branch and lose much of their material in less than the age of the cluster, it will decrease the mean star mass of the cluster to something between $0.1$ and $0.8 M\_\odot$ ($0.3 M\_\odot$ according to Rob Jeffries). However it won't change the order of magnitude of the mean distance between stars.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Your average mass is too high. A 1 solar mass star has already evolved into a lower mass white dwarf at the age of globular clusters. About 0.3 would be better, but doesn't make a lot of difference to the final answer.  
> **username_1**: You're right about the mean mass and the age of the cluster. I'm including your comment.  

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