Apparent magnitudes

Definition

Apparent magnitude measures the brightness of a celestial object as seen from Earth. It is a logarithmic scale where lower values indicate brighter objects.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The apparent magnitude scale was developed by the ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus.
2. A difference of 5 magnitudes corresponds to a brightness factor of exactly 100.
3. Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, has an apparent magnitude of -1.46.
4. Objects with negative apparent magnitudes are exceptionally bright, such as Venus and the Sun.
5. Apparent magnitudes can be affected by factors like distance from Earth and atmospheric conditions.

Review Questions

Related terms

Absolute Magnitude:

The intrinsic brightness of a celestial object as it would appear at a standard distance of 10 parsecs from Earth.

Luminosity:

The total amount of energy emitted by a star or other astronomical object per unit time.

Parallax:

The apparent shift in position of a nearby star against the background of distant objects due to Earth's orbit around the Sun.