Task 1 Print
Categorizing Stars Using the H-R Diagram
A sample H-R diagram is shown here. In this activity, you will make your own H-R diagram using data you collect about nearby stars.
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

Part A
The chart below lists six stars. Research the luminosity, distance from Earth, and surface temperature of each star. Make sure to research credible sites, such as nasa. gov, to complete your chart. Distances should be given in light years and temperatures given in Kelvin. Luminosity (L) is how bright something is in human eyesight. As you conduct your research, look for the luminosity of each star relative to the Sun. (Therefore, the luminosity of the Sun is 1). If your sources give a fraction for luminosity, convert the fraction into a decimal number. Use your research to complete the chart.

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Question

Part B
Using the H-R diagram provided, plot points on the given graph for the stars you researched. Use the circle tool to plot a point. Use the text box tool to label each point with the appropriate star name.

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Part C
Jane and Mark make an H-R diagram and conclude that the Sun is the brightest and hottest star within 20 light years of Earth. Do you agree with their claim? Why or why not?

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Part D
The Sun is a main sequence star. During the last stage of its life cycle, it will become a white dwarf. It will shrink in size, but it will be very hot. Which of the stars in your chart do you think is a white dwarf and why?

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Part E
Why do you think the size of a white dwarf affects its visual luminosity?

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Part F
Proxima Centauri and the Sun are both main sequence stars, but Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf and the Sun is a yellow dwarf. Based on the information you charted, compare the characteristics of red dwarf stars and yellow dwarf stars.

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Part G
How do H-R diagrams help scientists compare new stars with the Sun? In your answer, name one type of data that H-R diagrams do not show.

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