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Chapter 13: Problem 14

Capella (in the constellation Auriga) is the sixth brightest star in the sky. When viewed with a high-power telescope, it is clear that Capella is actually two pairs of binary stars: the first pair are G-type giants; the second pair are M-type main sequence stars. What color does Capella appear to be? a. red b. yellow c. blue d. color cannot be determined from this information

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yellow (b)

Step by step solution

01

Identify the types of stars

Capella is made up of two pairs of binary stars: the first pair are G-type giants, and the second pair are M-type main sequence stars.
02

Determine the color of G-type giants

G-type giants are stars that have a yellow hue. Therefore, the first pair of binary stars in Capella will appear yellow.
03

Determine the color of M-type main sequence stars

M-type main sequence stars are stars with a reddish hue. Therefore, the second pair of binary stars in Capella will appear red.
04

Infer the combined color

The visual appearance of Capella, when the light from both pairs of stars blends, will be dominated by the brighter G-type giants. This results in a more yellowish overall color.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Binary Stars
Binary stars are systems of two stars that orbit around a common center of mass. They are fundamental in the study of astrophysics because they provide valuable information about stellar masses and evolution. There are different types of binary star systems:
  • Visual binaries: These can be seen with a telescope as two distinct stars.
  • Spectroscopic binaries: These are identified by the Doppler shifting of spectral lines as the stars move in their orbits.
  • Eclipsing binaries: These systems are identified by periodic dimming when one star passes in front of the other.
Binary star systems are important for measuring stellar masses because their orbital dynamics can be analyzed using Kepler's laws. Understanding these systems can also help us learn more about star formation and evolution.
G-type Giants
G-type giants are stars that have evolved off the main sequence and expanded to a much larger size. They have exhausted the hydrogen in their cores and are now burning helium or even heavier elements in a shell around the core.
G-type giants appear yellow because they have surface temperatures ranging from about 5,000 to 6,000 Kelvin.

These stars are older and more luminous than G-type main sequence stars (like our Sun). Here are some key characteristics:
  • Luminosity: They are much brighter due to their large size.
  • Temperature: While their temperatures are similar to G-type main sequence stars, their size makes them shine more brightly.
  • Lifecycle stage: They are in a later stage of stellar evolution.
Because they have expanded significantly, their surface gravity is weaker, leading to more extended atmospheres. This can result in stronger stellar winds and the potential for shedding mass over time.
M-type Main Sequence Stars
M-type main sequence stars are the most common type of star in our galaxy. Often referred to as red dwarfs, these stars are smaller and cooler than our Sun.
Here are some important points about M-type main sequence stars:
  • Color and Temperature: They appear reddish due to their cooler surface temperatures, ranging from about 2,400 to 3,700 Kelvin.
  • Mass: They have less mass than the Sun, typically between 0.08 and 0.45 solar masses.
  • Longevity: Because they burn their fuel so slowly, M-type stars have incredibly long lifespans, potentially up to trillions of years.
These stars are crucial in the search for exoplanets because their lower luminosity makes it easier to detect planets orbiting around them.

M-type main sequence stars are often found in binary or multiple star systems, and their low temperatures mean that they emit most of their light in the infrared spectrum.

Even though they are less luminous, their abundance makes them significant contributors to the overall light and mass in our galaxy.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Other than the Sun, the only stars whose mass astronomers can measure directly are those in eclipsing or visual binary systems. Why? How do astronomers estimate the masses of stars that are not in eclipsing or visual binary systems?

To know certain properties of a star, you must first determine the star's distance. For other properties, knowledge of distance is not necessary. Explain why an astronomer does or does not need to know a star's distance to determine each of the following properties: size, mass, temperature, color, spectral type, and chemical composition? In each case, state your reason(s).

Star A is more massive than star B. Both are main-sequence stars. Therefore, star A is _____ than star B. (Choose all that apply.) a. more luminous b. less luminous c. hotter d. colder e. larger f. smaller

Albireo, in the constellation Cygnus, is a visual binary system whose two components can easily be seen with even a small, amateur telescope. Viewers describe the brighter star as "golden" and the fainter one as "sapphire blue." a. What does this description tell you about the relative temperatures of the two stars? b. What does this description tell you about their respective sizes?

If a star has very weak hydrogen lines and is blue, what does that most likely mean? a. The star is too hot for hydrogen lines to form. b. The star has no hydrogen. c. The star is too cold for hydrogen lines to form. d. The star is moving too fast to measure the lines.
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