The apparent brightness a star would have if it were placed at a standard distance of 10 parsecs (32.6 light-years) from Earth (essentially, from the sun).
The apparent magnitude a star would have if it were at a distance of 10 parsecs (32.6 light-years) from the sun. An expression of luminosity.
The brightness that a star appears to have, as measured by an observer on Earth.
A measure of the apparent brightness of a star as seen from the earth. The scale is based on the faintest stars visible to the unaided eye in a clear dark sky. These stars are given a magnitude value of 6.0. A star 100 time brighter will have a magnitude value 5 less or 1.0. A star 100 times fainter will have a value 5 greater or 11.0. See the Pogson Scale.
binary star system
A system which consists of two stars in orbit about their common center of mass, held together by their mutual gravitational attraction. Most stars are found in binary-star systems. Term can also be applied to star systems containing more than two stars.
The characteristic way in which the intensity of radiation emitted by a hot object depends of frequency. The frequency at which the emitted intensity is highest is an indication of the temperature of the radiating object. Also referred to as the Planck curve.