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The amount of light we receive from a star - other things being equal - is inversely proportional to the square of the distance. For example, from a star that is ten times as far from us as another star (of the same type), we will only receive 1/100 of the light that we receive from the closer star.

The "actual" brightness of the star is called "absolute magnitude". It is calculated as if all stars were at the same distance, so that we can compare stars directly. The "apparent magnitude" of the star is how bright it appears in our own night sky.

Two stars can have the same apparent magnitude even though one star is small, dim and close, while the other star is huge, bright and distant.

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Juliet Olson

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If the distance between us and a star is doubled the apparent brightness is decreased by a factor of four true or false?

True. The apparent brightness of a star is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the star and the observer. So if the distance is doubled, the apparent brightness will decrease by a factor of four.


How is the brightness of a Cepheid star calculated by knowing the period?

The brightness of a Cepheid star is determined by its period-luminosity relationship, which is a relationship between the star's variability period and its intrinsic luminosity. By measuring the period of a Cepheid star, astronomers can use the period-luminosity relationship to calculate its luminosity, and from there determine its apparent brightness as observed from Earth.


List three factors that control the apparent brightness of a star as seen from earth?

The apparent brightness of a star is determined by its luminosity (true brightness), distance from Earth, and any intervening dust or gas that may absorb or scatter its light. These factors affect how bright a star appears in the night sky to an observer on Earth.


Why are pulsating variable stars useful for finding distances to globular clusters?

It really depends on the type of star, but for certain star types, there is a relationship between the period and the absolute brightness, so if the period is observed, the absolute brightness can be deduced. Yes. It seems like this question is about the Cepheid variables.


How do you measure the distance to a cepheid?

Cepheids have a certain relationship between their period, and their absolute luminosity. Thus, their absolute luminosity can be determined. Comparing this with their apparent luminosity allows us to calculate their distance.Cepheids have a certain relationship between their period, and their absolute luminosity. Thus, their absolute luminosity can be determined. Comparing this with their apparent luminosity allows us to calculate their distance.Cepheids have a certain relationship between their period, and their absolute luminosity. Thus, their absolute luminosity can be determined. Comparing this with their apparent luminosity allows us to calculate their distance.Cepheids have a certain relationship between their period, and their absolute luminosity. Thus, their absolute luminosity can be determined. Comparing this with their apparent luminosity allows us to calculate their distance.

Related Questions

If the distance between us and a star is doubled the apparent brightness is decreased by a factor of four true or false?

True. The apparent brightness of a star is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the star and the observer. So if the distance is doubled, the apparent brightness will decrease by a factor of four.


How can cepheids be utilized to calculate distance accurately?

Cepheids are bright, pulsating stars that have a predictable relationship between their brightness and their pulsation period. By measuring the period of a cepheid's pulsation and comparing it to its observed brightness, astronomers can accurately determine the star's intrinsic brightness. This information can then be used to calculate the star's distance from Earth, as the apparent brightness of a star decreases with distance. This method, known as the period-luminosity relationship, allows astronomers to calculate distances to faraway galaxies and other celestial objects with high accuracy.


Who discovered the relationship between the star temperature and brightness?

Hertzsprung and Russell.


Who discovered the relationship between a star brightness and temperature?

Hertzsprung and Russell.


What is difference between apparent brightness and absolute brightness?

Absolute Brightness: How bright a star appears at a certain distance. Apparent Brightness: The brightness of a star as seen from Earth.


How is the brightness of a Cepheid star calculated by knowing the period?

The brightness of a Cepheid star is determined by its period-luminosity relationship, which is a relationship between the star's variability period and its intrinsic luminosity. By measuring the period of a Cepheid star, astronomers can use the period-luminosity relationship to calculate its luminosity, and from there determine its apparent brightness as observed from Earth.


IN main sequence stars what is the relationship between brightness and temperature?

Brightness tells you the temperature and mostly temperature would tell the brightness of the star that we are talking about.


What terms takes into consideration the brightness of a star but ignores the differences that distance can make?

"Apparent magnitude" is the star's brightness after the effects of distance. "Absolute magnitude" is the star's brightness at a standard distance.


A star's brightness as if it were a standard distance is called?

Absolute Brightness .


What two factor affect a stars apparent brightness?

Two factors that affect a star's apparent brightness are: 1.) The distance between the Earth and the star 2.) The absolute magnitude (the actual brightness) of the star Hope that helps :P


Explain or what is the meaning of the relationship of the stars brightness and distance?

Other things being equal, the farther the star, the less bright it will seem to us. Specifically, the apparent brightness is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.


List three factors that control the apparent brightness of a star as seen from earth?

The apparent brightness of a star is determined by its luminosity (true brightness), distance from Earth, and any intervening dust or gas that may absorb or scatter its light. These factors affect how bright a star appears in the night sky to an observer on Earth.