Change in apparent magnitude of a star after exploding

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the change in apparent magnitude of a star after it explodes as a supernova, specifically focusing on the relationship between absolute magnitude and brightness changes. The context involves astronomical concepts related to magnitude and distance measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formula for calculating apparent magnitude before and after the explosion, with one participant expressing uncertainty about the origin of the formula for change in magnitude. There is also mention of the absolute magnitude definition and its relation to luminosity changes.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring the implications of the supernova's brightness increase on apparent magnitude. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between luminosity and magnitude, but there is no explicit consensus on the final calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of astronomical magnitude calculations, with references to specific formulas and external sources for clarification. There is an acknowledgment of the distance to the star and its absolute magnitude as part of the problem setup.

MatinSAR
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Homework Statement
The absolute magnitude of a star in the Andromeda galaxy (distance 690 kpc) is M=5. It explodes as a supernova, becoming one billion (10^9) times brighter. What is its apparent magnitude?
Relevant Equations
Absolute and appaarent magnitude.
Finding the apparent magnitude before the explosion is straightforward and easy.$$m= M + 5log(\dfrac {d}{10}) = 29.19$$ Idk how to find it after explosion ... The change in apparent magnitude should be calculated using ##-2.5log(10^9)## , Idk why this formula is true and where it came from ...
 
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MatinSAR said:
Homework Statement: The absolute magnitude of a star in the Andromeda galaxy (distance 690 kpc) is M=5. It explodes as a supernova, becoming one billion (10^9) times brighter. What is its apparent magnitude?
Relevant Equations: Absolute and appaarent magnitude.

Finding the apparent magnitude before the explosion is straightforward and easy.$$m= M + 5log(\dfrac {d}{10}) = 29.19$$ Idk how to find it after explosion ... The change in apparent magnitude should be calculated using ##-2.5log(10^9)## , Idk why this formula is true and where it came from ...
I see a matching formula at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_magnitude#Bolometric_magnitude
 
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Absolute magnitude is defined as ##M = -2.5 \log(L/L_0)##. If your object becomes ##10^9## brighter, that means ##L## increases by a factor ##10^9## and therefore ##M## changes by ##-2.5\log(10^9) = - 2.5\cdot 9 = - 22.5##
 
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haruspex said:
Thank you for your time.
Orodruin said:
Absolute magnitude is defined as ##M = -2.5 \log(L/L_0)##. If your object becomes ##10^9## brighter, that means ##L## increases by a factor ##10^9## and therefore ##M## increases by ##-2.5\log(10^9) = - 2.5\cdot 9 = - 22.5##
Thank you for your clear explanation.
 

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