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The brightness ratio of stars is typically expressed using a magnitude scale. The magnitude scale is a logarithmic scale that measures the brightness of celestial objects, including stars. The lower the magnitude value, the brighter the object. Conversely, higher magnitude values indicate fainter objects.

The magnitude scale is defined such that a difference of 5 magnitudes corresponds to a brightness ratio of exactly 100. In other words, a star that is 5 magnitudes brighter than another star is 100 times brighter. Similarly, a star that is 10 magnitudes brighter is 100 x 100 = 10,000 times brighter, and so on.

To find the brightness ratio (R) between two stars with different magnitude values (m1 and m2), you can use the following formula:

R = 100^( (m2 - m1) / 5 )

Where:

R = Brightness ratio between the two stars.

m1 = Magnitude of the first star.

m2 = Magnitude of the second star.

For example, if Star A has a magnitude of 2 and Star B has a magnitude of 6, you can calculate the brightness ratio as follows:

R = 100^( (6 - 2) / 5 )

R = 100^(4/5)

R ≈ 2.511

So, Star B is approximately 2.511 times dimmer than Star A.

It's important to note that the magnitude scale is relative, and negative magnitudes indicate exceptionally bright objects (e.g., the Sun, which has an apparent magnitude of approximately -26.74), while positive magnitudes represent progressively fainter objects. Additionally, the magnitude of a star can be influenced by various factors, such as distance, intrinsic brightness, and interstellar dust extinction.

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Ramzan Alam

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Who are the astronomer divided the stars into six magnitudes of brightness?

The astronomer who divided stars into six magnitudes of brightness was Hipparchus, a Greek astronomer active in the 2nd century BCE. He developed a system to categorize stars based on their apparent brightness, with the first magnitude representing the brightest stars and the sixth magnitude representing the faintest stars visible to the naked eye. This magnitude scale laid the groundwork for modern astronomical classification of stellar brightness.


What system classifies stars according to its brightness?

The system that classifies stars according to their brightness is called the magnitude scale. This scale measures the apparent brightness of stars as seen from Earth, with lower numbers indicating brighter stars; for example, a star with a magnitude of 1 is brighter than one with a magnitude of 5. Additionally, the absolute magnitude scale measures the intrinsic brightness of stars at a standard distance of 10 parsecs. Together, these systems help astronomers categorize and compare stars based on their luminosity.


How does the hertzsprung Russell diagram classify stars?

increase in absolute brightness as they increase in temperature.Increase in brightness as they increase in temperature


What compares the brightness of stars as if they were the same distance from earth?

midorz


Are stars different sizes and brightness?

Yes! Some stars are supergiants, which means that they are high-mass stars. They explode in a supernova towards the end of their life. These stars are generally brighter than others. A star's brightness also depends on its temperature. Red stars are the coolest temperature, followed by orange, yellow, white and blue stars.

Related Questions

What do astronomer plan to find out by classifying stars?

they plan to find the size, temperature, brightness,


Two stars whose apparent magnitudes differ from each other by five magnitudes have a ratio of brightness of?

About 97.7 (calculated as 2.55)


What is the ratio of brightness a twelfth magnitude and fifteenth magnitude star?

the ratio of brightness is 16:1


Do stars have the same brightness and sizes?

No. Stars vary greatly in size and brightness.


Which two groups of stars can have similar brightness?

Variable stars and main sequence stars can have similar brightness. Variable stars, like Cepheid variables, can fluctuate in brightness over time, while main sequence stars maintain a relatively stable brightness due to their fusion processes.


What is a stars brightness known as?

A star's brightness is known as its magnitude. Stars with lower magnitude numbers are brighter than stars with a higher magnitude number.


Temperature and brightness of stars are indicated by what?

Temperature of stars is indicated by their color, with blue stars being hotter than red stars. Brightness of stars is indicated by their luminosity, which is how much light a star emits.


What is the measure of a stars brightness?

Magnitude.


Is shape affects the brightness of the stars?

no


In main-sequence stars how does brightness relate to temperature?

The brightness is very similar to the temperature, the brightness relies on the temperature


What determines how bright stars are?

Size and temperature determine the brightness of stars.


Stars that can change their brightness?

the moon can vary its brightness and the pink elephant called aphadophalis