Cluster facts for kids

Cluster means a group of similar things that are close together. It can be used in many different ways, from groups of stars to parts of a computer.

What is a Cluster?

A cluster is simply a collection of items that are grouped together. These items might be similar in some way, or they might just be found in the same place.

Clusters in Space

Spacecraft Clusters

• Cluster (spacecraft): This was a group of four special European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft. They worked together to study Earth's magnetic field.
• Cluster II (spacecraft): This is another ESA mission. It also uses four spacecraft to learn more about the space around Earth.

Groups of Space Objects

• Asteroid cluster: This is a small family of asteroids that travel together in space.
• Galaxy cluster: These are huge groups of galaxies held together by gravity. Imagine many cities (galaxies) all grouped into one giant neighborhood!
• Supercluster: These are the biggest known structures in the universe. They are made up of many galaxy clusters, like a whole country made of many neighborhoods.
• Star cluster: This is a group of stars that were born around the same time from the same cloud of gas and dust.
  • Globular cluster: These are very old, round groups of hundreds of thousands of stars. They orbit around the center of a galaxy.
  • Open cluster: These are younger, looser groups of a few hundred stars. They are found within the flat part of a galaxy.

Clusters in Biology and Health

• Winter cluster: When it's cold, honey bees huddle together in a tight group called a winter cluster. This helps them stay warm.
• Disease cluster: This happens when a larger-than-expected number of people get a certain illness in one area or at one time.
• Cluster of microorganisms: This is a group of tiny living things, like bacteria, growing together. You might see them as a colony in a science lab.

Clusters in Technology

Computer Clusters

• Computer cluster: This is a group of computers that are connected and work together. They act like one big, powerful computer to solve complex problems or handle a lot of data.

Equipment Clusters

• Instrument cluster: This is the part of a car's dashboard that shows you important information. It includes the speedometer, fuel gauge, and other lights.
• Bicycle cogset: This is the group of gears on the back wheel of a bicycle. It helps you change speeds.
• Milking cluster: This is the set of tubes and cups that attach to a cow's udder for automatic milking.

Clusters in Math

• Cluster analysis: This is a way to group a set of objects based on how similar they are. For example, you could use it to group students with similar interests.

Clusters in Language

• Consonant cluster: In language, this is a group of consonants that appear together in a word without a vowel between them. For example, "str" in "street" or "spl" in "splash."
• Language cluster: This is a group of languages or dialects that are spoken in the same area and are similar to each other.

Clusters in Arts and Media

Music Clusters

• Tone cluster: This is a musical chord where several notes that are very close together are played at the same time. It often sounds a bit dissonant or "clashy."
• Cluster (band): This was a German electronic music group. They were known for their experimental sounds.
• Cluster (album): This was an album released by the band Cluster in 1971.

Other Media Clusters

• Cluster (novels): This is a series of science fiction books written by Piers Anthony.
• The Cluster: This is a character from the TV show Steven Universe.

Other Uses of Cluster

• Business cluster: This is when many similar businesses or industries are located close together in one geographic area. They often help each other grow.
• Cluster diagram: This is a type of diagram that shows how different ideas or items are grouped together. It helps to organize thoughts.

See also

In Spanish: Clúster para niños

• Clustering (disambiguation)