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Giant stars have a much lower surface gravity than do main sequence stars, while the opposite is the case for degenerate, compact stars such as white dwarfs. The surface gravity can influence the appearance of a star's spectrum, with higher gravity causing a broadening of the absorption lines .
In astronomy, stellar classification is the classification of stars based on their spectral characteristics. Electromagnetic radiation from the star is analyzed by splitting it with a prism or diffraction grating into a spectrum exhibiting the rainbow of colors interspersed with spectral lines.
Cataclysmic variable stars are binary stars that consist of two components; a white dwarf primary, and a mass transferring secondary. The stars are so close to each other that the gravity of the white dwarf distorts the secondary, and the white dwarf accretes matter from the companion.
Russell's early (1913) versions of the diagram included Maury's giant stars identified by Hertzsprung, those nearby stars with parallaxes measured at the time, stars from the Hyades (a nearby open cluster), and several moving groups, for which the moving cluster method could be used to derive distances and thereby obtain absolute magnitudes for ...
Extrinsic variable stars: stars where the variability is caused by external properties like rotation or eclipses. There are two main subgroups. There are two main subgroups. Eclipsing binaries, double stars or planetary systems where, as seen from Earth 's vantage point the stars occasionally eclipse one another as they orbit, or the planet ...
A characteristic of population II stars is that despite their lower overall metallicity, they often have a higher ratio of alpha elements (elements produced by the alpha process, like oxygen and neon) relative to iron (Fe) as compared with population I stars; current theory suggests that this is the result of type II supernovas being more ...
Download as PDF; Printable version; ... The following are lists of stars. ... By physical characteristic. List of brightest stars;
The study of stars and stellar evolution is fundamental to our understanding of the Universe. The astrophysics of stars has been determined through observation and theoretical understanding; and from computer simulations of the interior. [100] Star formation occurs in dense regions of dust and gas, known as giant molecular clouds.