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Are These Stars?

Discover the definition of a star, its evolution, and the consequences of its life cycle in this insightful exploration of stellar astrophysics. Learn how stars radiate energy, evolve, and even meet their demise. This collection delves into the mysteries of stars, including their structure, radiation sources, and observational limits in astrophysics. Unravel the complexities of stars through theory and observation, from binary systems to stellar spectra. Find out why studying stellar astrophysics is crucial on a cosmic and earthly scale.

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Are These Stars?

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  1. Are These Stars? 1 3 2 4

  2. Definition of a Star (1) Bound by self gravity (spherical) Is this strictly true? (2) Radiates energy largely supplied by an internal source A star is a body that satisfies two conditions: Source of radiation is usually nuclear energy released by FUSION reactions in stellar interior but could be gravitational potential energy released in contraction

  3. Are These Stars?

  4. Are These Stars? No, this is a collection of stars  Galaxy

  5. Are These Stars? Galaxy No, not bound by gravity, not spherical  Nebula

  6. Are These Stars? No, shines by reflected light, mass too small for gravity to be important  Galaxy Comet Nebula

  7. Are These Stars? Galaxy Comet No, largely shines by reflected light  Nebula Planet

  8. Consequences of Definition of a Star Stars must evolve (as they release energy) - changes in structure and/or chemical composition Death of a star can occur in 2 ways (a) Violation of first condition - self gravity (breakup of star scattering material into space) (b) Violation second condition - internally supplied radiation (exhaustion nuclear fuel)

  9. Astrophysics (physics of stars) Is not an experimental science - we cannot devise and conduct experiments in order to test theories Theory is validated by observations Evidence often derived from past events Information we can gather is very restricted - apparent brightness (depends on distance), luminosity, temperature, chemical composition, mass, radius

  10. The Constellation Orion

  11. Spectrum Arcturus

  12. Binary Stars

  13. A Problem The Earth’s mean distance from the Sun is 1.496 x 1011 m, and its orbital period is 3.156 x 107 sec. In these units G is 6.673 x 10-11 m3 kg-1 s-2 Use this to derive the mass of the Sun in kg.

  14. Binary Stars and Radii

  15. Why should I care about stellar astrophysics? • We live next to a star. • It controls most of what happens on Earth • For example: • HAS THE SUN CAUSED GLOBAL WARMING?

  16. Sun and Earth

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