HR Diagram

Front

What is the H-R Diagram?

Back

The Hertzsprung-Russell (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 position of a star on the H-R Diagram indicate?

Back

The position of a star on the H-R Diagram indicates its temperature, luminosity, and evolutionary stage.

Front

What type of stars are found on the main sequence of the H-R Diagram?

Back

Main sequence stars are those that are in the stable phase of hydrogen burning in their cores, including stars like our Sun.

Front

What happens to stars as they move from the main sequence to the right on the H-R Diagram?

Back

As stars move to the right on the H-R Diagram, they become cooler and larger, transitioning into the giant or supergiant phases.

Front

What are white dwarfs?

Back

White dwarfs are the remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel and collapsed, appearing on the lower left of the H-R Diagram.

Front

What spectral class does the Sun belong to?

Back

The Sun belongs to spectral class G.

Front

What is the significance of a star's color on the H-R Diagram?

Back

A star's color indicates its temperature; blue stars are hotter, while red stars are cooler.

Front

What are supergiants?

Back

Supergiants are very large and luminous stars that are found at the upper end of the H-R Diagram.

Front

What is the relationship between a star's temperature and its luminosity?

Back

Generally, hotter stars are more luminous than cooler stars, which is reflected in their positions on the H-R Diagram.

Front

What type of star is Barnard's star?

Back

Barnard's star is a red dwarf, which is cool, dim, and located on the lower right of the H-R Diagram.