Stars/Galaxies and Waves

Front

What is a main-sequence star?

Back

A main-sequence star is a star that is in the stable phase of its life cycle, where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core. It is characterized by a balance between gravitational collapse and nuclear fusion.

Front

What spectral class is a star with a temperature higher than 30,000 K?

Back

A star with a temperature higher than 30,000 K is classified as a spectral class O star.

Front

What color of visible light has the highest frequency?

Back

Violet light has the highest frequency and the shortest wavelength in the visible spectrum.

Front

What is the structure of a spiral galaxy?

Back

A spiral galaxy consists of a central bulge, spiral arms, and a surrounding halo of stars and dark matter.

Front

What is luminosity in the context of stars?

Back

Luminosity is the total amount of energy emitted by a star per unit of time, often measured in watts.

Front

What is the difference between apparent magnitude and absolute magnitude?

Back

Apparent magnitude is how bright a star appears from Earth, while absolute magnitude is how bright a star would appear at a standard distance of 10 parsecs.

Front

What is a supergiant star?

Back

A supergiant star is a very large star that has a high luminosity and is in the later stages of its life cycle, often undergoing fusion of heavier elements.

Front

Why won't our sun ever become a black hole?

Back

Our sun is too small; it does not have enough mass to undergo the gravitational collapse required to form a black hole.

Front

What is the significance of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram?

Back

The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is a scatter plot of stars showing the relationship between their absolute magnitudes and their stellar classifications, helping to understand stellar evolution.

Front

What is the role of gravity in star formation?

Back

Gravity pulls together gas and dust in space, leading to the formation of stars as the material collapses and heats up.