Stars Definition and 876 Threads

  1. M

    Undergrad How can the distance to nearby stars be calculated using the parallax method?

    Just a little question, using the formula d=1/(theta), d is the distance in pc and theta is the angle in arsecs. Is theta simply the parallax? or if not, can it be calculated from right ascention and declination? Thanks, Matt.
  2. L

    Lenticular Galaxy - Formula for Probable Location of Stars

    I bought a nexstar 114gt a few months ago, and I have been unable to use the auto align features, which would allow me to use the tracking and goto features on the telescope. I am not certain if the telescope itself is flawed, or if I am simply doing something wrong. I sent two emails to...
  3. J

    Undergrad Why Do Variable Stars Like R Hydra Exhibit Unique Color Changes?

    hi all I remember that once i see through a telescope a variable star ( i think it was R hydra) and it sees dark orange , why is that ? And is there some theory that explain this bizarre behaviour ? I read once in an russian astrobook that the study of this stars will contribute to the...
  4. A

    High School Why Do Stars Twinkle? Supernovas & Photons

    why do stars twinkle?? has it got anything to do with the photons emitted from the burning stars? i mean that is it because of the uneven frequency of photons reaching your retina that would cause u so register the lights in an irregular fashion, causing the star to 'twinkle' what about...
  5. L

    Graduate Stars closer than thought. How the sun affects the light path

    Distance to star, much little Considering the effects of the relativity theory in terms of the curvation of space, I am wondering if for the calculation of the distance to the stars using the parallax method (below 100ly), the effect that the sun is creating a deformation in the solar system...
  6. Labguy

    Graduate Will Gravitational Wave Detectors Challenge Current Theories on Binary Stars?

    Some "new" relaeases of interest also here in General Astronomy. Merits discussion in this forum too, I think. Go to PF post: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12315
  7. wolram

    Graduate Could New Pulsar Discoveries Lead to Direct Detection of Cosmic Gravity Waves?

    4 dec 2003. http://www.physlink.com/News/120403PulsarGravity.cfm A discovery made with CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope in eastern Australia may have brought forward the day when astronomers will directly detect cosmic gravity waves for the first time...
  8. A

    Undergrad Determining stable orbits for other stars

    Howdy, first post, good to be here. I'm sure it will be a learning experience. My question concerns planetary formation and planet orbits for other stars, specifically the star Vega. I'm having a "disagreement" with someone who claims that Vega's mass, diameter, and density prevents the...
  9. R

    Undergrad Distance of Star: Solve Parallax Equation for km & Light Years

    please can somebody help me with this parallax equation: D=distance to star theta=angle using the rule D=(d/2)/tan(theta/2) when d = 300*10tothe6 and theta = 5*10tothe-5 what is the distance to the star in km and light years?
  10. M

    Undergrad Does the Sun Move and What Forces Drive its Motion?

    I was wondering about stars, and if anyone can answer part or one of these questoins (though answer more if you really want to) i would really be grateful! :smile: Does the Sun move? if it does, how and what are the physics and forces involved in that. When looking at the sun, I've only...
  11. S

    Calculating the Period of Binary Stars

    Hello. Two binary stars (m1 and m2) orbit each other around their center of mass. They orbit in circles of radii r1 and r2. I am to show that the period is given by T2=4pi2(r1+r2)3/(G(m1+m2)) The mutual force between m1 and m2 is F=Gm1m2/(r1+r2)2 Considering m1, the acceleration of m1 is...
  12. S

    Undergrad Explaining the Mystery of Star Separation: A Scientific Inquiry

    [SOLVED] What keeps the stars apart? I have often looked to the night sky and wondered what keeps all these zillions of stars apart. Centrifuge I feel is not adequate alone. Expansion of the universe doesn't work either All the stars are attractive with their inherant gravities and yet there...
  13. wolram

    Undergrad Counting Supernovae: Estimating the Frequency of Stellar Explosions

    http://www.supernovae.net/isn.htm this link gives a listing of supernova discoveries. i am atempting to build a picture of the evolution of the universe ,ie how many stars go supernova, how many pulsars are formed, how many stars are formed etc, etc. can anyone give me some numbers...
  14. Ivan Seeking

    Graduate Hubble chases exploding stars: re dark energy

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3155200.stm
  15. S

    Undergrad How Do Astronomers Accurately Count Stars in the Universe?

    I was looking at some maps of the known universe (http://www.anzwers.org/free/universe/) and a question occurred to me - how can astronomers say how many stars are in a certain galaxy? What method is being used to count them? Is it direct observation or is it some kind of formula?
  16. M

    Question on binary stars & binary stars

    Hi. What a great forum, so many interesting things I am facing a problem with the working out for my last question in my practice paper, for my mid-year examinations. i don't know how to write the notation here, so i have just attatched a screenshot, i hope u don't mind. i just have...
  17. D

    High School Relationship between color of stars and their heat intensitiy

    can someone help me?? i have been having an argument with my cousin about which color stars produce more heat? i say that blue stars produce more heat! but my cousin says that white stars produce more heat! can someone please tell me if I'm right or if she is right?
  18. Ivan Seeking

    High School Newfound Stars are Huge, Powerful and Frantic: Space.com

    "Some of the stars are up to 120 times larger than the Sun. Their discoverers called them extreme in every way. They are born rapidly, live short but wildly luminous lives and will die explosively, likely forming black holes." http://space.com/scienceastronomy/extreme_stars_030722.html
  19. P

    Discover the Mind-Blowing Count of 70 Sextillion Stars in the Universe

    http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/07/22/stars.survey/index.html
  20. Shirley

    Undergrad Does Gravity Affect Light in Stars?

    First, let me thank you in advance for your patience. I understand there is a lot of foundation I need to build before I can truly learn much of what I need to know, and I thank you for your assistance. We know that gravity is strongest closest to large objects. Gravity seems to effect...
  21. wolram

    Undergrad How Do Contact Binary Stars Coexist Without Destruction?

    how can (contact binary stars) exist? why is it that one does not destroy the other? where is there center of gravity?
  22. A

    Graduate Iron Fusion in Stars: Uncovering the Mysteries of Heavy Elements on Earth

    [SOLVED] Iron Fusion In Stars If iron is said to be the last stage of fusion in stars, how is it that heavier elements are found on earth, where there seems to be less likely a chance for such fusion to occur? Where do these elements come from? Moreover, the half-life of a heavy element on...
  23. Loren Booda

    High School Are There Stars Primarily Composed of Helium?

    Are there stars primarily composed of helium?
  24. S

    High School What Are the Key Physics Concepts Behind Colliding Stars?

    colliding stars...need help hey ppl, I'm doing a project for senior highskool physics, neways, my topic is colliding stars, i have the process and stuff down, but i can't find things on the physics behind it, like equations used to predict the motion mayobe...or sometohin like keplers laws (i...
  25. Nebula

    Graduate Magnetic Fields of Neutron Stars

    It is a known fact that neutron stars and pulsars, remnants of super nova explosions, have very strong magnetic fields. It is said that the collapse of the core amplifies the magnetic field of the progenitor. This is due to the fact that the magnetic fields lines are drawn closer together during...