H-R Diagram

Front

What is the H-R Diagram?

Back

The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram (H-R 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 does the color of a star indicate about its surface temperature?

Back

The color of a star indicates its surface temperature: blue stars are the hottest, followed by white, yellow, orange, and red stars, which are the coolest.

Front

What is the hottest color of stars on the H-R Diagram?

Back

Blue.

Front

What is the coolest color of stars on the H-R Diagram?

Back

Red.

Front

What type of star is our Sun classified as on the H-R Diagram?

Back

Main Sequence.

Front

What is the surface temperature of the Sun?

Back

Approximately 6,000 degrees Celsius.

Front

What is a White Dwarf?

Back

A White Dwarf is a small, dense star that is typically the size of Earth but has a mass comparable to that of the Sun, and it represents the final evolutionary state of stars like our Sun.

Front

What is a Red Giant?

Back

A Red Giant is a late stage in the life cycle of a star, where it has expanded and cooled, resulting in a reddish appearance.

Front

What is the significance of the Main Sequence on the H-R Diagram?

Back

The Main Sequence is where stars spend most of their life cycle, fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores.

Front

What are the two axes of the H-R Diagram?

Back

The vertical axis represents luminosity (brightness), while the horizontal axis represents temperature (or spectral class) of stars.