Absolute Magnitude Homework: Mass 3.5x Sun, Luminosity 42.9x Sun

In summary, absolute magnitude is a measure of an object's intrinsic brightness and is based on the object's distance, mass, and luminosity. It is calculated using the formula M = m - 5(log(d/10)). Objects with a greater mass and luminosity will have a higher absolute magnitude. This value can also change over time due to changes in the object's distance, mass, and luminosity.
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Homework Statement


A star is 42.9 more luminous than our Sun and has a mass 3.5 times bigger than the Sun. Assuming our Sun has an Absolute Magnitude of 4.83 what would the Absolute Magnitude of this star be?


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The Attempt at a Solution

 
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What factor of luminosity change does plus one magnitude represent?
 

1. What is absolute magnitude?

Absolute magnitude is a measure of the intrinsic brightness of a celestial object, and is defined as the apparent magnitude the object would have if it were located at a distance of 10 parsecs (32.6 light years) from the observer.

2. How is absolute magnitude calculated?

The formula for calculating absolute magnitude is M = m - 5(log(d/10)), where M is the absolute magnitude, m is the apparent magnitude, and d is the distance to the object in parsecs.

3. What does a mass of 3.5x Sun and a luminosity of 42.9x Sun mean in terms of absolute magnitude?

The mass and luminosity values given indicate that the object is 3.5 times more massive than our Sun and emits 42.9 times more energy than our Sun. This means that its absolute magnitude will also be greater than our Sun's, as it is a larger and more luminous object.

4. How does the mass and luminosity of an object affect its absolute magnitude?

The mass and luminosity of an object are directly related to its absolute magnitude. The greater the mass and luminosity, the greater the absolute magnitude will be.

5. Can absolute magnitude change over time?

Yes, absolute magnitude can change over time as the object's distance, mass, and luminosity may change. Supernova explosions, for example, can significantly increase an object's luminosity and thus its absolute magnitude.

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