<P> Of the globular clusters within the Milky Way , the majority are found in a halo around the galactic core , and the large majority are located in the celestial sky centered on the core . In 1918 , this strongly asymmetrical distribution was used by Shapley to make a determination of the overall dimensions of the galaxy . By assuming a roughly spherical distribution of globular clusters around the galaxy 's center , he used the positions of the clusters to estimate the position of the Sun relative to the galactic center . While his distance estimate was in significant error ( although within the same order of magnitude as the currently accepted value ) , it did demonstrate that the dimensions of the galaxy were much greater than had been previously thought . His error was due to interstellar dust in the Milky Way , which absorbs and diminishes the amount of light from distant objects , such as globular clusters , that reaches the Earth , thus making them appear to be more distant than they are . </P>
<P> Of the globular clusters within the Milky Way , the majority are found in a halo around the galactic core , and the large majority are located in the celestial sky centered on the core . In 1918 , this strongly asymmetrical distribution was used by Shapley to make a determination of the overall dimensions of the galaxy . By assuming a roughly spherical distribution of globular clusters around the galaxy 's center , he used the positions of the clusters to estimate the position of the Sun relative to the galactic center . While his distance estimate was in significant error ( although within the same order of magnitude as the currently accepted value ) , it did demonstrate that the dimensions of the galaxy were much greater than had been previously thought . His error was due to interstellar dust in the Milky Way , which absorbs and diminishes the amount of light from distant objects , such as globular clusters , that reaches the Earth , thus making them appear to be more distant than they are . </P>
where are most of the milky way 's globular clusters found
where are most of the milky way 's globular clusters found
a halo around the galactic core the celestial sky
a halo around the galactic core the celestial sky