Go outside on a clear night, wait 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark, and look carefully at the brightest stars. Some should look slightly red and others slightly blue. The primary factor that determines the color of a star is its temperature. Which is hotter: a blue star or a red one? Explain
Question
Go outside on a clear night, wait 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark, and look carefully at the brightest stars. Some should look slightly red and others slightly blue. The primary factor that determines the color of a star is its temperature. Which is hotter: a blue star or a red one? Explain
Solution
A blue star is hotter than a red one. This is because the color of a star is determined by its temperature. The hottest stars are blue or blue-white, which are shorter wavelengths of light. Cooler stars are red or red-brown, which are longer wavelengths of light. This is similar to how heating a metal object will cause it to glow red initially, then white as it gets hotter, and blue at its hottest. So, when you're looking at the color of stars, you're seeing an indication of their temperature.
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