Introduction to Astronomy

Stars  

 Introduction to Astronomy

    Stars

       Overview

Classification

Main Sequence

Others

 Introduction to Astronomy

   Stars

       Classification based on color/temperature

Light and other radiation are messengers from objects in the universe. 

 Introduction to Astronomy

    Stars

       Classification based on Color/Temperature

Recall :

The most dominant color of a star indicates its surface temperature

 Introduction to Astronomy

Wien's displacement law

\lambda_\text{max} =\frac{ 2.898\times10^{-3} \text{m}\cdot \text{K}}{T}

    Stars

       Classification based on Color/Temperature

 Introduction to Astronomy

Q: What color signifies an object at a higher temperature? Red or Blue?

    Stars

       Classification based on Color/Temperature

 Introduction to Astronomy

    Stars

       e.g. The Sun

 Visible Spectrum of the Sun. Our star’s spectrum is crossed by dark lines produced by atoms in the solar atmosphere that absorb light at certain wavelengths. (credit: modification of work by Nigel Sharp, NOAO/National Solar Observatory at Kitt Peak/AURA, and the National Science Foundation)

 Introduction to Astronomy

     Stars

       Example Star

 Introduction to Astronomy

     Stars

       Example Star

 Introduction to Astronomy

     Stars

       Classification

 Introduction to Astronomy

     Stars

       An Analogy

 Introduction to Astronomy

     Stars

       An Analogy

 Introduction to Astronomy

     Stars

       Star Groups

 Introduction to Astronomy

     Stars

       Star Groups

 Introduction to Astronomy

     Stars

       Star Groups

 Introduction to Astronomy

     Stars

       Main Sequence

After condensation and ignition of a star, it generates thermal energy in its dense core region through nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium. During this stage of the star's lifetime, it is located on the main sequence at a position determined primarily by its mass, but also based upon its chemical composition and age. The cores of main-sequence stars are in hydrostatic equilibrium, where outward thermal pressure from the hot core is balanced by the inward pressure of gravitational collapse from the overlying layers. The strong dependence of the rate of energy generation on temperature and pressure helps to sustain this balance. Energy generated at the core makes its way to the surface and is radiated away at the photosphere. The energy is carried by either radiation or convection, with the latter occurring in regions with steeper temperature gradients, higher opacity or both.

AST - Stars

By omoussa

AST - Stars

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