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chefskitten
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You find two yellow stars at the same distance (but not in a binary system!). They have the same mass, but one is much more luminous than the other.
Which one is older?
Which one is older?
phinds said:I don't get it. How would you tell an old modest-sized star from a large younger star, both of which have the same luminosity?
Chronos said:The luminosity of a star is strongly dependent on mass, which is known as the mass-luminosity relationship. While the luminosity of a star does increase somewhat with age, the difference is small until it leaves the main sequence. It would be a wildly unreliable way to determine the age of a star.
Luminosity is a measure of the total amount of energy emitted by a star per unit time. It is often used as an indicator of a star's size and brightness.
By measuring a star's luminosity and comparing it to known values for stars of similar mass, scientists can estimate the star's age. This is based on the understanding that stars go through predictable stages of evolution.
Other factors that may be taken into account when estimating a star's age include its temperature, chemical composition, and location within its galaxy.
No, luminosity is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to estimating a star's age. It must be used in combination with other data and observations to get a more accurate estimation.
Knowing a star's age can provide valuable information about the history and evolution of the universe. It can also help scientists understand the behavior and characteristics of stars at different stages of their lives.