Download Star Characteristics

STAR CHARACTERISTICS
Fiona Ward
Emily Linden
THE QUESTION
“Explain the usefulness of
classifying stars according to
their colors, surface
temperatures, and spectral
characteristics.”
COLORS
• Color and Blackbody Curve
• Determines surface temperature
• Works for any star regardless of
distance
• Color Index + Photometry +
Stellar Spectra = Color =
Temperature
This slide: Astronomy Today textbook
TEMPERATURES
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Temperature + Color = Composition
The biggest and brightest stars are the hottest.
Some can grow to be 100 times bigger than our Sun.
Color + Temperature = Length of life
Blue and white are the brightest
Yellow stars last 10 billion years
Red stars last longer
It then turns into a super giant or red giant.
This slide: http://library.thinkquest.org/J002231F/Stars/thetemperatureofthestars.htm
ALL THREE
This picture: http://english.turkcebilgi.com/Spectral+classification
SPECTRAL
CHARACTERISTICS
• (1880-1920) Originally measured by
Hydrogen-line Intensities
• A–P
• (1920s) Development of Atomic Theory
• Reclassification by Surface Temperature
• OBAFGKM
This picture: http://english.turkcebilgi.com/Spectral+classification
This slide: Astronomy Today textbook
THE ANSWER
• Classifying stars according to color, temperature, and spectral
classifications:
 Explains Our Universe
 Determines the Building Blocks of the Solar System
 Determines the Life of Stars
 Determines our Eminent Doom