One night, you observe two stars that have the same apparent magnitude. Could these two stars be giving off different amounts of light? Explain.
2007-01-23 03:35:11 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
yes, depends on their distance and the angle they are to the horizon
2007-01-23 05:08:02 · answer #1 · answered by RMG 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Astronomers talk about "apparent magnitude" because they know magnitude depends on several factors: the inherent brightness of a star, its distance from the Earth, the number of and density of clouds of gas or particles the light has to pass through from the source to the Earth, and even the quality of the atmosphere the starlight is passing through. It is possible that, if the apparent stars are close together and the light passes by a massive object, the two stars are actually one, and then the light would be the same. Otherwise, it would be rare indeed for two stars to give off the same amount of light just because of their "apparent" magnitude.
2007-01-23 11:48:20 · answer #2 · answered by thylawyer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. The magnitude of a star decreases with the square of the distance to the observer. So if one star is twice as far away but four times as bright, they will appear to be the same magnitude.
Also, if one star is being obscured by more nonluminous material, it's apparent magnitude will decrease.
2007-01-23 11:42:15 · answer #3 · answered by gebobs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alternate explanation:
Suppose one is near the horizon and the other is overhead. The one near the horizon may have some of its light diffused by the atmosphere, or light pollution, and when it reaches the zenith it would be brighter than the one currently at the zenith.
2007-01-23 11:44:50 · answer #4 · answered by bequalming 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure.
Maybe one of them is much farther away, is much brighter at the source, but there's more interstellar gas between it and the earth.
2007-01-23 11:40:02 · answer #5 · answered by TimmyD 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, their distances may differ.
2007-01-23 11:49:28 · answer #6 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gee, no modesty in asking homework questions?
2007-01-23 11:42:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋