How do I convert luminosity to magnitude?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting luminosity values into magnitudes in the context of astrophysics, specifically focusing on how a star's magnitude changes over time based on luminosity data expressed as Log (L/L_sun).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the relationship between luminosity and magnitude using provided data, questioning the correctness of their initial formula. Some participants clarify the distinction between apparent and absolute magnitude and provide relevant formulas.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different formulas for calculating magnitude based on luminosity. The original poster has clarified their interest in apparent magnitude, and some guidance has been offered regarding the formulas to use, though there is no consensus on the final approach yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is working with Log (L/L_sun) values and is seeking to convert these into apparent magnitudes, indicating a specific focus on how to handle the data they have been given.

the riddick25
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I am trying to find out how fast a star's magnitude changes over time, and have two columns of data.
The first is the time since the stay left the main sequence, and the second is Log (L/L_sun).

I am unsure as to how to chance the luminosity values into magnitudes, which means I can't answer the question.

I thought it might be m=2.5 log L but I don't know if this is correct or not.

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated

Thanks :D
 
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Depends whether you want apparent or absolute magnitude.
For apparent the formula would be
m_1 - m_2 = -2.5 \log{\frac{L_1}{L_2}}
 
But I'm not given actual luminosities, I've been given Log (L/L_sun)
so for example one of my values is 4.4799, how would i turn this into a magnitude?

And yes, I was looking for an apparent magnitude, forgot to mention it in my first post
 
m_1 = m_{sun} - 2.5\log{\frac{L}{L_{sun}}}
where m_{sun} = –26.74

So for the value you gave you'd get
m_1 = -26.74 - 2.5*4.4799
which gives a pretty high magnitude as the lower the magnitude, the brighter the object.
 

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