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The basic idea is:* Measure the star's apparent magnitude

* Calculate the star's distance

* The absolute magnitude can be directly calculated from these two pieces of information. However, adjustments may need to be made for extinction - that is, if there is a lot of dust or gas between the star and us, it looks dimmer than without the dust or gas.

Without extinction, the Wikipedia gives the following formula:

M = m - 5((log10 DL) - 1)

Where M is the absolute magnitude, m is the apparent magnitude, DL is the distance in parsec.

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9y ago

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A star might be much brighter than it appears to be. This is called the star's absolute magnitude. The difference in apparent magnitude and absolute magnitude is due primarily to the star's -?

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What distance is the absolute magnitude and the apparent magnitude of a star would be equal if the star is seen at?

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