Estimate the number of stars with present-day luminosity function

In summary, the conversation is about estimating the number of stars in a given volume and luminosity range. The speaker is looking for a simple formula and references a survey by Bochanski which reports 15.37 million stars in a volume of 4x4x4 kpc^3 in a similar range. However, there is no known formula for calculating these numbers.
  • #1
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Folks,

Please don't flame me for this as it is probably already answered somewhere.
How does one estimate the number of stars in a 500pc^3 which have a range of 10^-2 to 0.1 Lsun?

I am not a maths head, so simple answer that would have the formula would be great.

Thanks
 
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  • #2
This survey of low mass stars by Bochanski is among the more recent ones - http://arxiv.org/abs/1004.4002. Bochanski reports 15.37 million stars in a volume of 4x4x4 kpc^3 in the range of 0.1 - 0.8 Msolar. That corresponds to a luminosity range of about .003 Lsolar to .458 Lsolar. I'm not aware of any formula for calculating these numbers.
 

1. How is the present-day luminosity function used to estimate the number of stars?

The present-day luminosity function is a statistical distribution of the brightness or luminosity of stars in a particular region. By analyzing this function and comparing it to observational data, scientists can estimate the total number of stars in that region.

2. What factors affect the accuracy of estimating the number of stars using the present-day luminosity function?

Factors that can affect the accuracy of this estimation include the size and composition of the region being studied, the sensitivity of the observational data, and the assumptions made about the distribution of stars in the region.

3. Can the present-day luminosity function be used to estimate the number of stars in any region of the universe?

While the present-day luminosity function is a useful tool for estimating the number of stars in a region, it is limited by the availability and quality of observational data. Therefore, it may not be applicable to all regions of the universe.

4. How does the present-day luminosity function account for different types of stars?

The present-day luminosity function takes into account the different types of stars by categorizing them based on their spectral class and luminosity. This allows for a more accurate estimation of the total number of stars in a region, as different types of stars may have different luminosity functions.

5. How does the present-day luminosity function contribute to our understanding of the universe?

The present-day luminosity function helps scientists understand the distribution and evolution of stars in different regions of the universe. By estimating the number of stars, it also provides insights into the total mass and energy of these regions, which can aid in our understanding of the formation and structure of the universe.

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