If Sirius has an apparent magnitude near -1.46, what is the approximate magnitude of the next brightest star, Canopus?
Answer
About -0.72
The difference in brightness between Sirius and other stars is substantial. Sirius registers around -1.46. The next brightest star in the sky, Canopus, has a significantly higher, thus dimmer, apparent magnitude of approximately -0.72. This comparison, along with Arcturus at -0.05, illustrates the dominance of Sirius. Because the magnitude scale is logarithmic, the difference between Sirius (-1.46) and Canopus (-0.72) represents a significant drop-off in perceived brightness as one moves down the list of visible stellar objects.
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