For which type of star does a small error in measuring mass translate to a much larger error in the calculated age?
Answer
Lower-mass stars
The relationship between a star's measured mass and its calculated age is non-linear, particularly when dealing with stars of lower mass. For these less massive stars, which evolve slowly over vast timescales, even a minor inaccuracy in determining their initial mass results in a disproportionately large uncertainty in the derived age estimate. In contrast, more massive stars undergo much more rapid evolution, meaning their observable properties change quickly, allowing for more immediate and trackable data points that help constrain their age range more tightly, despite the initial mass uncertainty.
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