absolute magnitude
Noun 1. (astronomy) the magnitude that a star would have if it were viewed from a distance of 10 parsecs (32.62 light years) from the earth (hypernym) magnitude (classification) astronomy, uranology | ||||
Search Dictionary:
Absolute magnitude definition was found in categories: Science & Technology(1) Entertainment & Music(1) Religion & Spirituality(1) Encyclopedia(1)
Absolute magnitude Definition from Science & Technology Dictionaries & Glossaries
| ASTRONOMY UNBOUND |
Absolute magnitude
The apparent magnitude that a star would possess it if were placed at a distance of 10 parsecs from the Earth. In this way, absolute magnitude provides a direct comparison of the brightness of stars. The apparent magnitude of a star is based upon its luminosity and its distance. If all stars were placed at the same distance then their apparent magnitudes would only be dependent on their luminosities. Thus, absolute magnitudes are true indicators of the amount of light each star emits. The brightest star has magnitude -1.4; the Sun has an absolute magnitude of 4.8, which is actually quite faint; the faintest visible star has 6. See also magnitude.
The apparent magnitude that a star would possess it if were placed at a distance of 10 parsecs from the Earth. In this way, absolute magnitude provides a direct comparison of the brightness of stars. The apparent magnitude of a star is based upon its luminosity and its distance. If all stars were placed at the same distance then their apparent magnitudes would only be dependent on their luminosities. Thus, absolute magnitudes are true indicators of the amount of light each star emits. The brightest star has magnitude -1.4; the Sun has an absolute magnitude of 4.8, which is actually quite faint; the faintest visible star has 6. See also magnitude.
Absolute magnitude Definition from Entertainment & Music Dictionaries & Glossaries
| English to Federation-Standard Golic Vulcan |
Absolute magnitude
ek'esik pul'es
ek'esik pul'es
Absolute magnitude Definition from Religion & Spirituality Dictionaries & Glossaries
| Webart Magic Astronomical Glossary |
Absolute magnitude
The absolute brightness (luminosity) of a star expressed in the magnitude system. The Sun's absolute magnitude is +5.
The absolute brightness (luminosity) of a star expressed in the magnitude system. The Sun's absolute magnitude is +5.
Absolute magnitude Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries
| Wikipedia English - The Free Encyclopedia |
Absolute magnitude
In astronomy, absolute magnitude is the apparent magnitude, m, an object would have if it were at a standard luminosity distance away from us, in the absence of interstellar extinction. It allows the overall brightnesses of objects to be compared without regard to distance.
The absolute magnitude uses the same convention as the visual magnitude, with a ~2.512 difference in brightness between step rates (because 2.5125 ≈ 100). The Milky Way, for example, has an absolute magnitude of about -20.5. So a quasar at an absolute magnitude of -25.5 is 100 times brighter than our galaxy. If this particular quasar and our galaxy could be seen side by side at the same distance, the quasar would be 5 magnitudes (or 100 times) brighter than our galaxy.
| See more at Wikipedia.org... |