HR Diagram

Front

What does the HR Diagram represent?

Back

The HR Diagram (Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram) is a scatter plot that shows the relationship between the stars' absolute magnitudes or luminosities versus their stellar classifications or effective temperatures.

Front

What are the main regions of the HR Diagram?

Back

The main regions of the HR Diagram include the Main Sequence, Red Giants, Supergiants, and White Dwarfs.

Front

What characterizes stars in the Main Sequence?

Back

Stars in the Main Sequence are in a stable phase of hydrogen burning, where they fuse hydrogen into helium. They vary in size, temperature, and brightness.

Front

What happens to a star as it moves from the Main Sequence to the Red Giant phase?

Back

As a star moves from the Main Sequence to the Red Giant phase, it exhausts its hydrogen fuel, causing it to expand and cool, resulting in a larger, redder star.

Front

What is a White Dwarf?

Back

A White Dwarf is a small, dense star that is the remnant of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers.

Front

How does temperature affect a star's color?

Back

A star's temperature affects its color; hotter stars appear blue or white, while cooler stars appear red or orange.

Front

What spectral class does the sun belong to?

Back

The sun belongs to the G spectral class.

Front

What is the relationship between a star's size and its temperature on the HR Diagram?

Back

Generally, as you move left on the HR Diagram, stars become larger and hotter, while moving downwards indicates cooler and smaller stars.

Front

What is the significance of the Main Sequence on the HR Diagram?

Back

The Main Sequence is significant because it contains about 90% of all stars, including the sun, and represents a stable phase of stellar evolution.

Front

What defines a Red Giant star?

Back

A Red Giant star is characterized by its large size and cooler temperature compared to Main Sequence stars, resulting in a reddish appearance.