Introductory Astronomy (PH-OT 542)

Assignment (October 29, 2020)

1. Three stars A, B and C are observationally classified to have apparent magnitudes

2.6, 3.7 and 4.3, respectively.
(a) If the measured flux from star A is 2.4 × 10−10 W/m2 , which is at a distance of 10
pc, find the observed flux from B and C.
(b) Estimate the absolute magnitude as well as the luminosity of A.

2. The orbital period of a comet is 110 yrs. Estimate the closest distance of approach
to Sun.

3. The star Canopus (Agastya) has a luminosity L ≈ 104 L and radius R ∼ 71 R .

Estimate the surface temperature.

4. In the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram observed, the number of low mass stars and
white dwarfs appear much lower than the high mass stars and the red giants. What do you
think is a possible reason for it?

5. It is given that the time scale tF F of collapse of a massive core of a star is tF F ∼ √ 1

G ρc
where ρc is the mass density of the core. Suppose, the iron rich core of a star has a mass
∼ 2 M and an initial radius Ri ∼ 2000 km. When the core cools down to a temperature
of T ∼ 3000 ◦ K, it collapses gravitationally to form a neutron star of radius 13 km.
(a) Estimate the time scale over which it collapses.
(b) Estimate the total energy carried away by the neutrinos, if it is assumed that 99
percent of the energy liberated due to the gravitational collapse is given to the neutrinos.