Algerbra in Astrophysics

First divide by 5, [itex](m-M)/5=\log_{10}(d/10)[/itex]. To get get rid of the log_10 you take 10^ on both sides.

[tex]
10^{\frac{m-M}{5}}=\frac{d}{10}
[/tex]

Now multiply by 10.

 

what is this simple calculation has to do with "Astrophysics" ...???

 

This is the calculation for magnitudes. It's the bane of all new undergraduate astrophysics students :tongue:

 

Stupid backwards magnitudes! I've seen even seasoned astronomers get in a verbal tangle using the wrong adjective to describe some magnitude (i.e. 'as high as' instead of 'as low as' or vice versa). No wonder beginners have trouble...

 

Magnitude is a pretty obscure and confusing measure of brightness. Think 2 to the fifth power.