Stellar physics
The Hertzsprung–Russell Diagram
The single most important diagram in stellar astrophysics: a plot of stars' luminosities against their surface temperatures. Stars are not scattered at random but fall into distinct regions — the diagonal main sequence, the giant and supergiant branches, and the faint white-dwarf sequence — that trace the arc of stellar evolution.
Highlights
- ›The map of stellar lives
Stars, stages & concepts
Across stellar astrophysics
Knowledge connections
- Associated withMain-Sequence Evolution
- Associated withSpectral Classification
- Associated withMain-Sequence Evolution
- Associated withStellar Structure
- Associated withStellar Luminosity (Stefan–Boltzmann)
- Associated withMass–Luminosity Relation
- Associated withAbsolute Magnitude
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- ESOEuropean Southern Observatory
Southern-hemisphere observatory data and imagery (VLT, ALMA partner).