Properties of Stars

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on the properties of stars, including their classification, measurements, and interpretations of the H-R diagram.

What is the order of celestial objects from smallest to largest?

Moon, Planet, Star, Solar System, Galaxy.

What is a light year?

A light year is the distance that light travels in one year, used by scientists as a unit of measure to express astronomical distances.

Which two properties are used to classify stars?

Temperature and brightness.

What determines the apparent magnitude of a star?

The distance the star is from Earth.

If Star A seems brighter than Star B from Earth and they are the same distance away, which star has the highest apparent magnitude?

Star A has the highest apparent magnitude.

Which star has the highest absolute brightness: Star A or Star B?

Refer to the absolute brightness scale; the star that emits more light has higher absolute brightness.

According to the H-R diagram, which star has the highest temperature?

Spica has the highest temperature.

According to the H-R diagram, which star has the highest absolute brightness?

Rigel has the highest absolute brightness.

Which star is most likely to be a blue color according to the H-R diagram?

Regalus is most likely to be a blue color.