HR Diagram Flashcard

Front

What is the HR Diagram?

Back

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

Front

What are red supergiants?

Back

Red supergiants are among the largest stars in the universe, characterized by their high luminosity and relatively low surface temperature.

Front

Where are the brightest stars located on the HR Diagram?

Back

The brightest stars are typically found in the upper left region of the HR Diagram.

Front

What does a brown dwarf represent on the HR Diagram?

Back

A brown dwarf is a substellar object that is not massive enough to sustain hydrogen fusion in its core, typically found in the bottom right of the HR Diagram.

Front

What are the axes of the HR Diagram?

Back

The HR Diagram has two axes: the vertical axis represents luminosity (brightness), and the horizontal axis represents temperature (color).

Front

What does it mean if a star has a luminosity less than 1?

Back

It means the star is dimmer than the Sun.

Front

Where are the coolest stars located on the HR Diagram?

Back

The coolest stars are found on the right side of the HR Diagram.

Front

What type of stars are found in the bottom left of the HR Diagram?

Back

The bottom left of the HR Diagram is typically occupied by hot, dim stars, such as white dwarfs.

Front

What is the significance of the main sequence on the HR Diagram?

Back

The main sequence is a continuous band where most stars, including the Sun, are found, representing a stable phase of stellar evolution.

Front

What is the relationship between temperature and luminosity for main sequence stars?

Back

For main sequence stars, higher temperature generally corresponds to higher luminosity.