How do they define luminosity function in astrophysics?

AI Thread Summary
Luminosity in astrophysics refers to the total integrated flux of an object, defined as the total radiated power across all wavelengths, typically measured in Watts or Solar luminosities. A luminosity function describes the distribution of luminosities among a group of astronomical objects, providing insights into their formation and evolution. The term "luminosity interval" is not widely recognized, but it may relate to specific ranges of luminosity used in studies. The Present Day Mass Function (PDMF) is relevant in the context of compact bodies like white dwarfs and neutron stars, indicating the mass distribution of these objects at the present time. Understanding these concepts is crucial for analyzing stellar populations and their characteristics.
clumps tim
Messages
38
Reaction score
0
hi, please explain me how to define a luminosity function? what is meant by luminosity interval? and the last one , what is meant by Present Day Mass Function (PDMF)?

reagrds
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
The luminosity in astrophysics is usually the total integrated flux of an astrophysical object. In other words, it usually defined as the total radiated power over all wavelengths (energy per unit time, and in SI units measured in Watts, but often measured in Solar luminosities for a star in astrophysical situations) of an astrophysical object. The Sun, for example, has a luminosity of order 4*10^26 Watts.

I have not heard of the terms "luminosity interval" or "PDMF", could you provide some context on where they were used?
 
they are used in compact bodies studies..like white dwarf, neutron star etc
 

Thread 'How feasible is home radio astronomy?'

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...
View full post »

Thread '3I/ATLAS, Interstellar Comet'

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...
View full post »

Similar threads

A Should luminosity distance be 0 at z=0?
Replies
4
Views
2K
B How to calculate a star's luminosity/radius
Replies
15
Views
10K
I Understanding diagrams of the late stages of stellar evolution
Replies
1
Views
2K
B Beware of "truthiness" in astronomy in seemingly reliable websites
Replies
21
Views
2K
Understanding the Luminosity of Radiative Stars
2
Replies
75
Views
9K
How is galaxy mass calculated using luminosity
Replies
5
Views
5K
B Questions about a paper on reconciling JWST and HST data
Replies
4
Views
2K
Mass of star as function of Luminosity, Temperature and size
Replies
9
Views
15K
Wrong Explanations for the Luminosity of Main-Sequence Stars
2
Replies
72
Views
7K
How Does the Sun's Luminosity Evolve Before the Helium Flash?
Replies
2
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top