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The mass/luminosity relationship can also be used to determine the lifetime of stars by noting that lifetime is approximately proportional to M/L although one finds that more massive stars have shorter lifetimes than that which the M/L relationship predicts. A more sophisticated calculation factors in a star's loss of mass over time.
In astrophysics and physical cosmology the mass-to-light ratio, normally designated with the Greek letter upsilon, ϒ, [1] is the quotient between the total mass of a spatial volume (typically on the scales of a galaxy or a cluster) and its luminosity.
The mass, radius, and luminosity of a star are closely interlinked, and their respective values can be approximated by three relations. First is the Stefan–Boltzmann law, which relates the luminosity L, the radius R and the surface temperature T eff. Second is the mass–luminosity relation, which relates the luminosity L and the mass M.
The paper concluded that there is a relation between spectral type and mass for stars. This was the first announcement of the mass–luminosity relation, later elaborated by many others. [ 8 ] His work on determination of magnitudes from photographic plates led him to an improved understanding of reciprocity failure, on which he published a ...
In astronomy, a period-luminosity relation is a relationship linking the luminosity of pulsating variable stars with their pulsation period. The best-known relation is the direct proportionality law holding for Classical Cepheid variables , sometimes called the Leavitt Law .
The properties and evolution of a star are closely related to its mass, so the IMF is an important diagnostic tool for astronomers studying large quantities of stars. For example, the initial mass of a star is the primary factor of determining its colour, luminosity, radius, radiation spectrum, and quantity of materials and energy it emitted ...
Typical boundary conditions set the values of the observable parameters appropriately at the surface (=) and center (=) of the star: () =, meaning the pressure at the surface of the star is zero; () =, there is no mass inside the center of the star, as required if the mass density remains finite; () =, the total mass of the star is the star's ...
Given the mass of the star, one can use this rate of increase in luminosity in order to determine the age of the star. This method only works for calculating stellar age on the main sequence , because in advanced evolutionary stages of the star, such as the red giant stage, the standard relationship for the determination of age no longer holds.