Russell

Definition

Russell is commonly associated with the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) Diagram, a graphical tool used to classify stars based on their luminosity and temperature. It is instrumental in understanding stellar evolution and the lifecycle of stars.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The H-R Diagram plots stars' absolute magnitude or luminosity against their surface temperatures.
2. Ejnar Hertzsprung and Henry Norris Russell independently developed the diagram in the early 20th century.
3. Stars on the main sequence of the H-R Diagram are undergoing hydrogen fusion in their cores.
4. The position of a star on the H-R Diagram changes as it evolves, particularly during phases like red giant and white dwarf stages.
5. Low-mass stars end up as white dwarfs after shedding their outer layers during the planetary nebula phase.

Review Questions

• What does the H-R Diagram plot?
• Who were the two astronomers responsible for developing what we now call the H-R Diagram?
• How does a star's position on the H-R Diagram change as it evolves?

Related terms

Main Sequence: The continuous and distinctive band of stars appearing on plots of stellar color versus brightness.

Red Giant: A late phase in stellar evolution where a star expands and cools after exhausting hydrogen in its core.

White Dwarf: A small, dense remnant of a low-mass star that has exhausted most or all of its nuclear fuel.