--- description: Turbulence is preventing star formation title: Stunning Images of Galaxy Clusters Are Teaching Scientists About Star Formation image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1a042b36cd571032/698762f1cd6848653b09758f/chandracosmic-star-nasa.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Science](/section/science/) ## Science Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Space](/tag/space/) ## Space Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Stunning Images Of Galaxy Clusters Teach Scientists About Star Birth by [Adam Glanzman](/author/adam-glanzman/) ## Adam Glanzman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Oct 27, 2014 8:35 PM CUT  Chandra observations of the Perseus and Virgo galaxy clusters suggest turbulence may be preventing hot gas from cooling. Chandra observations of the Perseus and Virgo galaxy clusters suggest turbulence may be preventing hot gas from cooling.CXC/Stanford/NASA by [Adam Glanzman](/author/adam-glanzman/) ## Adam Glanzman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Oct 27, 2014 8:35 PM CUT It seems that the stars have aligned in the world of astronomy. In a new [study](http://arxiv.org/abs/1410.6485 "undefined"), researchers found that galactic turbulence may prevent the formation of new stars in outer galaxy clusters, which are the largest objects in the universe held together by gravity, existing at temperatures upwards of a million degrees. Scientists have long wondered why these massive clusters have not begun to cool and form stars. “We knew that somehow the gas in clusters is being heated to prevent it cooling and forming stars. The question was exactly how,” said lead researcher Irina Zhuravleva, of Stanford University. According to Zhuravleva, the heat is being “channeled” through turbulence within the cluster. This movement is what maintains the cluster’s high temperature, preventing star formation. ### PHOTOS: 20 Breathtaking Images of Earth From Space  Aleppo, Syria, May 26, 2013 – The Citadel of Aleppo – medieval fortified palace DigitalGlobe—Getty Images  Belfast, Northern Ireland, Nov. 3, 2013 – “Wish,” a large-scale art work DigitalGlobe—Getty Images  Utah, USA, April 22, 2013 – Colorado River DigitalGlobe—Getty Images  Cuanza River, Angola, April 28, 2013 – Cambambe Dam DigitalGlobe—Getty Images  Doha, Qatar, March 4, 2013 – Artificial island spanning nearly four million sq meters. 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