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Hertzsprung–Russell diagram
Intermediate
Plots luminosity against temperature.
Plots luminosity against surface temperature (or colour); stars lie along the main sequence, with giants above and white dwarfs below. It reveals stellar evolution and distance.
The Sun sits in the middle at 5772 K.
Temperature axis runs backward.
In more detail
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram plots stellar luminosity against temperature, revealing the main sequence, giants and white dwarfs. It is a central tool for understanding stellar evolution.
Real-world uses
- Astronomers classify stars using the H-R diagram.
- It helps estimate ages of star clusters.
- Astronomers classify stars on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram to see their age, temperature and stage of evolution.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the main sequence?
The band of stars fusing hydrogen in their cores.
Where is the Sun on the diagram?
On the main sequence, near the middle.
Where is the Sun on the diagram?
On the main sequence, where stars fuse hydrogen into helium in their cores.
Related topics in Particle Physics & Cosmology
String theory · Our Sun · Stellar life cycle · Stellar nucleosynthesis · Supernovae · White dwarfs