The mass of a star can be estimated from its diameter using the equation R=M^{0.8} for main sequence stars, where R represents diameter. However, this relationship does not apply to non-main sequence stars, such as red giants and supergiants. For example, while the Sun's mass remains constant as it expands into a red giant, its radius significantly increases. Similarly, Betelgeuse has a mass 14 times that of the Sun but a radius 630 times greater. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately determining stellar mass across different types of stars.
#1
NOBARTHOLEM
17
0
How do you find the mass of a star based on its diameter? are there other factors that play into it and other things like that or is it just an equation?
with R being the diameter. For non-main sequence stars, this doesn't hold however. For instance, when our Sun expands into a red giant, its mass will not increase but its radius will do so greatly. Another Example is Betelgeuse, a super giant with a mass 14 times that of the Sun and a radius 630 times as much.
#3
NOBARTHOLEM
17
0
i can figure out that non main sequence stars hold the same mass because its just less matter per square mile or sqaure yoctometer or whatever measure u want to use.
Is a homemade radio telescope realistic?
There seems to be a confluence of multiple technologies that makes the situation better than when I was a wee lad: software-defined radio (SDR), the easy availability of satellite dishes, surveillance drives, and fast CPUs.
Let's take a step back - it is trivial to see the sun in radio. An old analog TV, a set of "rabbit ears" antenna, and you're good to go. Point the antenna at the sun (i.e. the ears are perpendicular to it) and there is...
3I/ATLAS, also known as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) and formerly designated as A11pl3Z, is an iinterstellar comet. It was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) station at Río Hurtado, Chile on 1 July 2025.
Note: it was mentioned (as A11pl3Z) by DaveE in a new member's introductory thread.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/brian-cox-lead-me-here.1081670/post-7274146
https://earthsky.org/space/new-interstellar-object-candidate-heading-toward-the-sun-a11pl3z/
One...
Partial solar eclipse from Twizel, South Isl., New Zealand ...
almost missed it due to cloud, didnt see max at 0710 NZST as it went back into cloud.
20250922, 0701NZST
Canon 6D II 70-200mm @200mm,
F4, 100th sec, 1600ISO
Makeshift solar filter made out of solar eclipse sunglasses