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29) Estimate the distance to the North Star if it has an absolute magnitude of -3.2 and an apparent magnitude of 1.99.

29) Estimate the distance to the North Star if it has an absolute magnitude of -3.2 and an apparent magnitude of 1.99.

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29) Estimate the distance to the North Star if it has an absolute magnitude of -3.2 and an apparent magnitude of 1.99.
Transcribed Image Text:29) Estimate the distance to the North Star if it has an absolute magnitude of -3.2 and an apparent magnitude of 1.99.
Expert Solution
Concept and Principle:
  • In astronomy when studying a star or any celestial object we use two different magnitudes. Apparent and absolute magnitudes.

 

  • The apparent magnitude of a celestial object is the brightness measured by an observer at a specific distance from the object. If an object is closer it will have a larger apparent magnitude. Two objects can have the same apparent magnitude.

 

  • The absolute magnitude on the other hand is the magnitude of a star if it was observed from a distance of 10 parsecs. Thus absolute magnitude allows astronomers a parameter to compare stars based on their magnitudes.

 

  • The distance to a celestial object can be calculated if both of these magnitudes are known. The distance magnitude formula is given by,

d=10(m−M+55)

Here d is the distance to the celestial object, m is the apparent magnitude, and M is the absolute magnitude.

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