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An illustration of light sources from magnitude 1 to 3.5, in 0.5 increments. In astronomy, magnitude is a measure of the brightness of an object, usually in a defined passband. An imprecise but systematic determination of the magnitude of objects was introduced in ancient times by Hipparchus. Magnitude values do not have a unit.
The absolute magnitude M, of a star or astronomical object is defined as the apparent magnitude it would have as seen from a distance of 10 parsecs (33 ly). The absolute magnitude of the Sun is 4.83 in the V band (visual), 4.68 in the Gaia satellite's G band (green) and 5.48 in the B band (blue). [20] [21] [22]
In astronomy, absolute magnitude (M) is a measure of the luminosity of a celestial object on an inverse logarithmic astronomical magnitude scale; the more luminous (intrinsically bright) an object, the lower its magnitude number.
Distance moduli are most commonly used when expressing the distance to other galaxies in the relatively nearby universe.For example, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is at a distance modulus of 18.5, [2] the Andromeda Galaxy's distance modulus is 24.4, [3] and the galaxy NGC 4548 in the Virgo Cluster has a DM of 31.0. [4]
This glossary of astronomy is a list of definitions of terms and concepts relevant to astronomy and cosmology, their sub-disciplines, and related fields. Astronomy is concerned with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth. The field of astronomy features an extensive vocabulary and a ...
For example, apparent magnitude in the UBV system for the solar-like star 51 Pegasi [18] is 5.46V, 6.16B or 6.39U, [19] corresponding to magnitudes observed through each of the visual 'V', blue 'B' or ultraviolet 'U' filters. Magnitude differences between filters indicate colour differences and are related to temperature. [20]
In astronomy, a phase curve describes the brightness of a reflecting body as a function of its phase angle (the arc subtended by the observer and the Sun as measured at the body). The brightness usually refers the object's absolute magnitude, which, in turn, is its apparent magnitude at a distance of one astronomical unit from the Earth and Sun.
The monochromatic AB magnitude is defined as the logarithm of a spectral flux density with the usual scaling of astronomical magnitudes and a zero-point of about 3 631 janskys (symbol Jy), [1] where 1 Jy = 10 −26 W Hz −1 m −2 = 10 −23 erg s −1 Hz −1 cm −2 ("about" because the true definition of the zero point is based on magnitudes as shown below).