Astronomers use two basis properties of stars to classify them. These two properties are luminosity and surface temperature. Luminosity usually refers to the brightness of the star relative to the brightness of our sun. Astronomers will often use a star’s color to measure its temperature. Stars with low temperatures produce a reddish light while stars with high temperatures shine with a brilliant blue—white light. Surface temperatures of stars range from 3000o C to 50,000o C. When these surface temperatures are plotted against luminosity, the stars fall into groups. Using the data similar to what you will plot in this activity, Danish astronomer Ejnar Hertzsprung and United States astronomer Henry Norris Russell independently arrived at similar results in what is now commonly referred to as the HR Diagram. Procedures: 1. Read the Background Information 2. On the graph paper provided. Place a number next to the star according to its luminosi

Astronomers use two basis properties of stars to classify them. These two properties are luminosity and surface temperature. Luminosity usually refers to the brightness of the star relative to the brightness of our sun. Astronomers will often use a star’s color to measure its temperature. Stars with low temperatures produce a reddish light while stars with high temperatures shine with a brilliant blue—white light. Surface temperatures of stars range from 3000o C to 50,000o C. When these surface temperatures are plotted against luminosity, the stars fall into groups. Using the data similar to what you will plot in this activity, Danish astronomer Ejnar Hertzsprung and United States astronomer Henry Norris Russell independently arrived at similar results in what is now commonly referred to as the HR Diagram. Procedures: 1. Read the Background Information 2. On the graph paper provided. Place a number next to the star according to its luminosi