Questions and Answers
Who used the ideas of quantum mechanics to discover that the spectral classification scheme (OBAFGKM) is in order of decreasing temperature?
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
The faintest star visible to the naked eye has an apparent visual magnitude of about:
6
Suppose you look by eye at a star near the edge of a dusty interstellar cloud. The star will look ________ than it would if it were outside the cloud.
dimmer and redder
A star's luminosity is the:
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The spectral sequence in order from highest to lowest surface temperature is:
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The spectral sequence sorts stars according to:
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Which of the following characteristics of stars has the greatest range in values?
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If the distance between us and a star is doubled, with everything else remaining the same, the luminosity:
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Why is the spectral sequence of stars not alphabetical?
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Study Notes
Stellar Classification and Properties
- Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin utilized quantum mechanics to formulate the spectral classification scheme (OBAFGKM), arranged by decreasing temperature.
- The faintest star visible to the naked eye has an apparent visual magnitude of approximately 6.
- A star viewed near a dusty interstellar cloud appears dimmer and redder due to the scattering of light by the dust particles.
Luminosity and Temperature
- A star's luminosity indicates the total amount of light it emits each second.
- The spectral sequence classifies stars from highest to lowest surface temperature as OBAFGKM.
- Stars are categorized within this sequence primarily based on their surface temperature.
Characteristics of Stars
- Luminosity exhibits the greatest range of values among various stellar characteristics.
- Doubling the distance to a star does not change its luminosity, but its apparent brightness is reduced by a factor of four due to the inverse square law of light.
- The spectral sequence is not in alphabetical order because the original designations did not accurately represent the temperatures of the stars, leading to a necessary reorganization.
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Description
Test your knowledge on stellar properties with these flashcards. Learn about spectral classification, stellar magnitudes, and how interstellar dust affects our view of stars. Perfect for astronomy enthusiasts and students alike!
