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 is found on the x-axis of an H-R diagram?

Back

Temperature is found on the x-axis of an H-R diagram, typically decreasing from left to right.

Front

What is found on the y-axis of an H-R diagram?

Back

Luminosity (or brightness) is found on the y-axis of an H-R diagram, increasing from bottom to top.

Front

What happens to stars as you move to the left on the H-R diagram?

Back

As you move to the left on the H-R diagram, stars get hotter.

Front

What type of stars are found in the upper left corner of the H-R diagram?

Back

The upper left corner of the H-R diagram contains hot, luminous stars, often referred to as O-type or B-type stars.

Front

What type of stars are found in the lower right corner of the H-R diagram?

Back

The lower right corner of the H-R diagram contains cool, dim stars, often referred to as M-type or red dwarfs.

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, fusing hydrogen into helium in its core, and is found along the diagonal band of the H-R diagram.

Front

What are red giants?

Back

Red giants are large stars that have expanded and cooled, found in the upper right area of the H-R diagram.

Front

What are white dwarfs?

Back

White dwarfs are the remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel, found in the lower left area of the H-R diagram.

Front

What does the term 'luminosity' refer to?

Back

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