Final answer:
The surface temperature of a star can be determined through its color, spectral type, and by knowing its distance. Color, spectral type, and distance help us estimate the temperature of stars.
Step-by-step explanation:
The surface temperature of a star can be determined by several methods:
- Color: The color of a star can give us an indication of its surface temperature. Hotter stars tend to be bluish-white, while cooler stars can appear redder.
- Spectral type: Each star has a unique spectral type, which is determined by analyzing its spectrum. This spectral type can provide information about the surface temperature of the star.
- Distance: Although not a direct way to measure temperature, knowing the distance to a star can help estimate its surface temperature. This is because some stars have a known luminosity, and by measuring the amount of light reaching us, we can estimate their temperature.
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