cluster variable

cluster variable (plural cluster variables)

1. (astronomy) an RR Lyrae variable; a type of variable star commonly (but not exclusively) found in globular clusters
   • 1902, Solon Irving Bailey, A Discussion of Variable Stars in the Cluster [omega] Centauri

     This period, which is exceptionally long for a cluster variable, satisfies the observations fairly well except in a few cases.

   • 1950, Leaflet

     Nearly all of the variable stars found in the other globular clusters had the same characteristics as those found in Omega Centauri. It was five years before a cluster variable was found outside of a globular cluster.

   • 1949, Popular Astronomy

     There are some thirty classical Cepheids, and a few irregular variables, in the globular clusters among the stars brighter than the typical cluster variable.

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