What two intrinsic properties organize stars on the H-R diagram?
Answer
Luminosity and surface temperature
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram functions as a scatter plot where the organization of stars is determined by plotting two primary intrinsic characteristics. The vertical axis represents the star's luminosity, which quantifies the total energy radiated per second and is often measured using absolute magnitude. The horizontal axis represents the star's surface temperature, which is usually categorized via spectral classification types (O, B, A, F, G, K, M). Plotting these two values together transforms a random grouping of stars into a structure that reveals evolutionary stages and stellar families.
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HR Diagram Explained - Star Color, Temperature and Luminosity
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