Magnitudes

Question 1

What is apparent magnitude (𝓂)?

Answer 1

The magnitude of a celestial object as it is actually measured from earth

Question 2

What is absolute magnitude (ℳ)?

Answer 2

The apparent magnitude the star would have from a distance of 10 pc

Question 3

What does an apparent magnitude (𝓂) less than 0 indicate?

Answer 3

That the star is bright

Question 4

What does an apparent magnitude (𝓂) greater than 0 indicate?

Answer 4

That the star is faint

Question 5

How are the apparent magnitudes of 2 objects related to their apparent brightnesses?

Answer 5

b₁/b₀ = 10^{-0.4(𝓂₁ - 𝓂₀)}
OR
𝓂₁ - 𝓂₀ = -2.5 log₁₀(b₁/b₀)
where 𝓂₁ and 𝓂₀ are the apparent magnitudes and b₁ and b₀ are the apparent brightnesses

Question 6

How are the apparent magnitudes of 2 objects related to their apparent brightnesses?

Answer 6

b₁/b₀ = 10^{-0.4(m₁ m₀)}
OR
m₁ - m₀ = -2.5 log₁₀(b₁/b₀)
where