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Home , AD Leonis, Lacaille 8760, Lists of stars, Struve 2398, Wolf 424

The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

A. , Temperature, and Size

Introduction

In the early part of this century, two astronomers, one Danish and one American, invented a diagram showing the basic characteristics of . The color- diagram, often called the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram in their honor, has proved to be the Rosetta stone of stellar astronomy. The purpose of this exercise is to give you some familiarity with the diagram. In addition, you will be asked to investigate the types of biases in measurement used to construct this diagram. Biases are especially important in understanding astronomical data. Unlike laboratory sciences, astronomical experiments must be conducted under the conditions the Universe gives us. Another way to think about this is that astronomy has no test tube! Since the astronomer has no direct control over the experiment, it is imperative that he or she understands the prejudices introduced into the data by the human perspective.

However, biases of measurement are found in many other fields of science. An example of a biased study would be to find the weight vs. age relation for all Americans by weighing only members of health clubs. Most active health club members tend to be more fit than the average, and so the average derived would be lower than the true average weight of Americans.

This exercise asks you to make comparisons between two different samples of stars. The bright table was selected on the basis of apparent brightness, NOT the luminosity of the stars. The near star table is all stars within 5 (about 15-16 light ) from the .

Step 1: First, let’s try to roughly categorize these stars by comparing their properties to something we’re more familiar with. Look over the two lists of stars and compare them to the star we know best, the Sun:

Q1: Characterize the average properties of stars in the "Near Star List" as compared to the Sun. (mention Luminosity, color, and temperature.) "Nearby stars tend to be...."

Q2: Characterize the average properties of stars in the "Bright Star List" as compared to the Sun. (mention Luminosity, color, and temperature.) "Apparently bright stars tend to be...."

Step 2: Plot log(L/LSun) versus Temperature for both the lists of nearest stars and brightest stars on the charts given (label each with the category name). The plots you have made will be HR diagrams. Label the region of the diagram where the main- sequence stars, stars and stars are found.

Q3: In a brief sentence or two, comment on the differences in location on your plot of these two groups of stars.

Capella has approximately the same temperature as the Sun, yet it is 140 times as bright as the Sun. The formula relating radius (R), luminosity (L), and temperature (T) is:

2 4 L/LSun=(R/RSun) *(T/TSun)

Q4: Looking at this equation, can you propose an explanation for the higher luminosity of Capella?

Step 3: Using this formula,

2 -4 (R/RSun) =(L/LSun)(T/TSun) and the data tables, find the radius of the hot main-sequence star Vega, the very hot main-sequence star Hadar and the cool main-sequence star Ross 614-A as ratios of the radius of the Sun.

Q5: RVega/RSun = ?

Q6: RHadar/RSun = ?

Q7: RRoss 614-A/RSun = ?

Note: In order to find L/LSun from the lists (which have only log(L/LSun)), you need to know about logarithms. Here is a quick reminder:

log(L/LSun)=x means that

x L/LSun=10

Let's use a real number to work this out. Suppose that x=2, so that

log(L/LSun)=2

Then

2 L/LSun=10 = 100

So the star is 100 times as luminous as the Sun.

Q8: From the above calculation, do you see any trend between the size of a main- sequence star and its temperature? If so, what is it?

Step 4: For each list of stars, the nearest stars and the brightest stars, count the number of stars that fall into each of these temperature ranges: 3000 or less; 3001 to 5000; 5001 to 7000, 7001 to 10,000; greater than 10,000. Make a bar graph for each set on the chart given. Again, use contrasting colors for the two samples so they can be easily distinguished from one another.

Note: some star systems have more than one star in them; count each star in the system individually. For example the 40-Erid system is made of three stars, each of different temperature.

Q9: Comment briefly on the differences between two samples of stars on the histogram you have drawn.

We are not able to catalog all the stars in our . However, if we assume that the Sun is situated in a typical part of the galaxy, we should be able to assemble a sample of stars which accurately reflects the population of the whole galaxy (e.g. when pollsters want to find out the President's approval rating, they don't ask ALL Americans, but rather they assemble a sample of ~1000 typical Americans and assume that this sample accurately reflects the whole population.)

Q10: Which list (the bright star list or the near star list) would be a better representation of the total population of the galaxy? Explain why!

B. Cluster Color-Magnitude Diagrams and the Age of Stars

Introduction

In this activity we will find the ages of two clusters by plotting stellar data on a color- magnitude diagram.

So far, we have learned how to determine many characteristics of the stars: distance, intrinsic luminosity, surface temperature, composition, and radius. In order to study the life cycle of stars, we would like to know the age of the stars we observe. Stellar clusters give us an opportunity to determine the age of their member stars.

Normally, a Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram plots the spectral type of a star against the star's intrinsic luminosity. A star's spectral type corresponds to the star's color. We can measure a star's color by determining its brightness through two different filters, say a blue filter and a yellow filter. We can therefore plot the color of a star against its brightness (measured in magnitudes) as a way of building an H-R diagram without taking the star's spectrum. This type of diagram is generally called a "color-magnitude" diagram", which is really a type of H-R diagram. This method is particularly useful with star clusters where taking the spectrum of thousands of closely spaced stars would be impossible.

Today we will be plotting actual data for two star clusters: an called M45 and a called 47 Tuc. Each cluster contains thousands of stars, but we will only plot the data for a representative few. Table 2-1 provides the data.

B-V is a measure of the color of a star. (It is the difference between the star's brightness in a blue filter and a yellow filter.) The important thing to know is that the higher numbers are redder and the lower numbers are bluer.

47 Tuc M45

Procedure

Step 1: Plot the Color (B-V) versus Magnitude on a piece of graph paper. Use a different plot for each cluster. Your x-axis is the color (B-V), and runs from -0.4 to +1.6 in both plots. Your divisions should be about 0.2. The y-axis is the , and is different in each case. Check the numbers in the table to see what your maximum and minimum values should be. Don't forget that magnitudes are backwards, so that smaller numbers mean brighter stars! Your plot should mimic an HR diagram, with stars, giants, supergiants, and white dwarfs in roughly the same locations.

Q11: We have always plotted on the y-axis of an H-R diagram. Why can we plot the apparent magnitude for cluster stars? (Hint: what's the difference between apparent and absolute magnitude?)

Q12: On your plot for 47 Tuc, identify the red giant stars (just draw an oval around them all). Why are these stars so much brighter than main sequence stars of the same color?

Q13: Which cluster is closer to Earth? (Hint: think about what happens to light from a very distant star. How are color and brightness affected when we move a star far away?) Explain your reasoning.

Q14: The lifetimes of different spectral types are given in Table 2-2. Use these lifetimes to estimate the age of 47 Tuc and M45. Explain your reasoning.

Q15: Why don't we see O and B type stars on these diagrams (color < -0.2)?

Attach your plots to your answer sheet before turning them in.

Table 1-1: Bright Stars

Star M(V) log(L/LSun) Temp Type Star M(V) log(L/LSun) Temp Type Sun 4.8 0.00 5840 G2 Sirius A 1.4 1.34 9620 A1 Canopus -3.1 3.15 7400 F0 Arcturus -0.4 2.04 4590 K2 Alpha 4.3 0.18 5840 G2 Vega 0.5 1.72 9900 A0 Centauri A Capella -0.6 2.15 5150 G8 Rigel -7.2 4.76 12140 B8 Procyon A 2.6 0.88 6580 F5 Betelgeuse -5.7 4.16 3200 M2 Achemar -2.4 2.84 20500 B3 Hadar -5.3 4.00 25500 B1 Altair 2.2 1.00 8060 A7 Aldebaran -0.8 2.20 4130 K5 -3.4 3.24 25500 B1 Antares -5.2 3.96 3340 M1 Fomalhaut 2.0 1.11 9060 A3 Pollux 1.0 1.52 4900 K0 Deneb -7.2 4.76 9340 A2 Beta -4.7 3.76 28000 B0 Crucis -0.8 2.20 13260 B7 Acrux -4.0 3.48 28000 B0 Adhara -5.2 3.96 23000 B2 Shaula -3.4 3.24 25500 B1 Bellatrix -4.3 3.60 23000 B2 Castor 1.2 1.42 9620 A1 Gacrux -0.5 2.10 3750 M3 Beta -5.1 3.94 25500 B1 Centauri Alpha 5.8 -0.42 4730 K1 Al Na'ir -1.1 2.34 15550 B5 Centauri B Miaplacidus -0.6 2.14 9300 A0 Elnath -1.6 2.54 12400 B7 Alnilam -6.2 4.38 26950 B0 Mirfak -4.6 3.74 7700 F5 Alnitak -5.9 4.26 33600 O9 Dubhe 0.2 1.82 4900 K0 Alioth 0.4 1.74 9900 A0 Peacock -2.3 2.82 20500 B3 Kaus -0.3 2.02 11000 B9 Theta -5.6 4.14 7400 F0 Australis Scorpii Atria -0.1 1.94 4590 K2 Alkaid -1.7 2.58 20500 B3 Alpha -3.3 3.22 20500 B3 Avior -2.1 2.74 4900 K0 Crucis B Delta Canis -8.0 5.10 6100 F8 Alhena 0.0 1.90 9900 A0 Majoris Menkalinan 0.6 1.66 9340 A2 Polaris -4.6 3.74 6100 F8 Mirzam -4.8 3.82 25500 B1 Delta 0.6 1.66 9900 A0 Vulpeculae

Table 1-2: Nearby Stars

Star M(V) log(L/ Temp Type Star M(V) log(L/ Temp Type LSun) LSun) Sun 4.8 0.00 5840 G2 Proxima 15.5 -4.29 2670 M5.5 Centauri Alpha Centauri 4.3 0.18 5840 G2 Alpha Centauri 5.8 -0.42 4900 K1 A B Barnard's Star 13.2 -3.39 2800 M4 16.7 -4.76 2670 M6 HD 93735 10.5 -2.30 3200 M2 L726-8 ( A) 15.5 -4.28 2670 M6 UV Ceti (B) 16.0 -4.48 2670 M6 Sirius A 1.4 1.34 9620 A1 Sirius B 11.2 -2.58 14800 DA Ross 154 13.1 -3.36 2800 M4 Ross 248 14.8 -4.01 2670 M5 Epsilon Eridani 6.1 -0.56 4590 K2 13.5 -3.49 2800 M4 L 789-6 14.5 -3.90 2670 M6 GX 10.4 -2.26 3340 M1 GQ 13.4 -3.45 2670 M4 Andromedae Andromedae 7.0 -0.90 4130 K3 61 Cygni A 7.6 -1.12 4130 K3 61 Cygni B 8.4 -1.45 3870 K5 Struve 2398 A 11.2 -2.56 3070 M3 Struve 2398 B 11.9 -2.88 2940 M4 5.7 -0.39 5150 G8 Procyon A 2.6 0.88 6600 F5 Procyon B 13.0 -3.30 9700 DF Lacaille 9352 9.6 -1.93 3340 M1 G51-I5 17.0 -4.91 2500 M7 YZ Ceti 14.1 -3.75 2670 M5 BD +051668 11.9 -2.88 2800 M4 Lacaille 8760 8.7 -1.60 3340 K5.5 Kapteyn's Star 10.9 -2.45 3480 M0 Kruger 60 A 11.9 -2.85 2940 M3.5 *Kruger 60 B 13.3 -3.42 2670 M5 BD -124523 12.1 -2.93 2940 M3.5 Ross 614 A 13.1 -3.35 2800 M4 Wolf 424 A 15.0 -4.09 2670 M5 van Maanen's 14.2 -3.78 13000 DB Star TZ Arietis 14.0 -3.70 2800 M4 HD 225213 10.3 -2.23 3200 M22 Altair 2.2 1.00 8060 A7 AD Leonis 11.0 -2.50 2940 M3.5 40 Eridani A 6.0 -0.50 4900 K1 40 Eridani B 11.1 -2.54 10000 DA 40 Eridani C 12.8 -3.20 2940 M3.5 70 Ophiuchi A 5.8 -0.40 4950 K0 70 Ophiuchi B 7.5 -1.12 3870 K5 EV Lacertae 11.7 -2.78 2800 M4

Table 2-2: Main Sequence Lifetimes

Spectral Lifetime Type (years) O < 106 B 3 X 107 A 4 X 108 F 4 X 109 G 1 X 1010 K 6 X 1010 M > 1011

Table 2-1: Data for 47 Tuc and M45

47 Tuc M45 Star Magnitude Color Star Magnitude Color Number (B-V) Number (B-V) 10012 19.6 0.76 133 14.4 1.28 10170 20.6 0.98 165 7.6 0.12 10200 21.0 1.05 345 11.6 0.84 10206 21.0 0.96 522 11.9 0.90 10278 21.6 1.23 697 8.6 0.35 10335 22.0 1.31 804 7.9 0.20 10359 22.2 1.23 950 4.2 -0.10 10489 22.6 1.33 1040 15.8 1.44 10610 23.0 1.45 1103 14.8 1.47 20028 17.6 0.53 1234 6.8 0.02 20034 17.7 0.58 1266 8.3 0.36 20049 18.0 0.57 1305 13.5 1.18 20070 18.4 0.60 1309 9.5 0.47 20104 18.8 0.65 1355 14.0 1.23 20130 19.1 0.69 1432 2.9 -0.09 20185 19.8 0.83 1454 12.8 1.16 20210 20.1 0.88 1516 14.0 1.31 20239 20.4 0.93 1766 9.1 0.47 20335 21.4 1.10 1797 10.1 0.56 20364 21.6 1.20 1924 10.3 0.62 30014 13.5 1.10 2168 3.6 -0.08 30103 15.5 0.82 2181 5.1 -0.08 40002 12.0 1.45 2209 14.4 1.47 40022 12.6 1.25 2406 11.1 0.76 40043 12.9 1.14 2425 6.2 -0.05 40130 14.0 0.99 2588 13.1 1.22 40135 14.0 0.69 2601 15.0 1.55 40144 14.0 0.79 2655 15.5 1.36 40164 14.0 0.59 2870 12.5 1.07 40351 14.9 0.85 2881 11.8 0.86 40628 16.2 0.73 40821 16.6 0.73 41051 16.9 0.70 41107 17.0 0.58 41456 17.2 0.51

HR Diagram Worksheet

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