Astronomy

Distance-Brightness Nomogram
Activity Name ________________________

Part 1 - The Distance Modulus: V-M is called the “Distance Modulus.” Use your nomogram to answer these
questions about the Distance Modulus.

1. Star A has V = 0 and M = 0. How far away is Star A?

2. Star B has V = 5 and M = 5. How far away is star B?

3. What can be said about ANY star where V-M = 0?

4. Star C has V = 5 and M = -5. How far away is Star C?

What can be said about ANY star where V-M > 0?

5. Star D has V = 10 and M = 15. How far away is Star D?

What can be said about ANY star where V-M < 0?

Part 2- Comparing Stars: Use your nomogram to answer these questions about the stars Sirius and Betelgeuse.

6. Sirius as an apparent magnitude m = -1.5 and absolute magnitude V = -1.0. How far away is Sirius?

7. Does Sirius have a larger or smaller luminosity than the Sun?

8. How far would Earth have to be from Sirius for it to be as bright as the Sun (V = -27)?

9. How far would Sirius have to be from us to be barely visible (V = 6) to the unaided eye? What about our
Sun (M = +5)?

10. Betelgeuse as an apparent magnitude = +0.0 and absolute magnitude = -5. How far away is Betelgeuse?

11. How far would Earth have to be from Betelgeuse for it to be as bright as the Sun (V = -27)?

12. How far would Betelgeuse have to be from us to be barely visible (V = 6) to the unaided eye?
Part 3- Finding Absolute Magnitude: Below are two (negative) images of a field of stars taken 6 months apart.
Follow the directions below to find the absolute magnitude of Star A and Star B.

1. Use a ruler to measure the length (in mm) of the 0.2” (arc-sec) line.
2. Find the “scale measure” for the images.

_________mm = 0.2” → 1 mm = ________”

3. Vertical lines are drawn aligning two distant stars in each image. Measure (to the nearest ½ mm) how far
Star A and Star B moved over 6 months. Record in the Data Table below.

7.4
/
8.0
/
1-Jan 8.0
7.0
/
/

1-July

DATA 6-month 6-month Parallax Distance Distance Apparent Absolute

Shift shift (arc- Angle, p (parsecs) (light-years) Magnitude, Magnitude,
TABLE (mm) sec) (arc-sec) V M
Star A
Star B
4. Use your “scale measure” (from step 2) to find the 6-month shift in arc-seconds. Record this value above.
5. Divide your 6-month shift by 2 to get the parallax angle. Find the distance (d = 1/p) to Star A. Record this
distance in parsecs and light-years in the Data Table.
6. Based on the apparent magnitude of stars on the chart, estimate and record V for Star A.
7. Knowing V and d, use your nomogram to estimate the Absolute Magnitude of Star A. Record in the Data
Table.
8. Repeat for Star B