Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
In the Hertzprung-Russell diagram the temperatures of stars are plotted against their luminosities. The position of a star in the diagram provides information about its present stage and its mass. Stars that burn hydrogen into helium lie on the diagonal branch, the so-called main sequence. Red dwarfs like AB Doradus C lie in the cool and faint corner. AB Dor C has itself a temperature of about 3,000 degrees and a luminosity which is 0.2% that of the Sun. When a star exhausts all the hydrogen, it leaves the main sequence and becomes a red giant or a supergiant, depending on its mass (AB Doradus C will never leave the main sequence since it burns so little hydrogen). Stars with the mass of the Sun which have burnt all their fuel evolve finally into a white dwarf (left low corner).
Credit:ESO
About the Image
Id: | eso0728c |
Type: | Chart |
Release date: | 19 June 2007 |
Related releases: | eso0728 |
Size: | 2662 x 2652 px |
About the Object
Name: | Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, HR Diagram, Stars |
Type: | Unspecified : Star |
Category: | Stars |