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On an H-R diagram, stars with the same luminosity are found _________.

1) Aligned horizontally (i.e. next to each other)
2) Aligned vertically (i.e. one above the other)
3) Along the main sequence

1 Answer

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Final answer:

On an H-R diagram, stars with the same luminosity are aligned horizontally, indicating they have the same luminosity value. The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram features the main sequence, where most stars lie, but also includes regions where giants and supergiants are located, which have low temperatures and high luminosities due to their large sizes.

Step-by-step explanation:

On an H-R diagram, which is a plot of stellar luminosity against surface temperature, stars with the same luminosity are found to be aligned horizontally, or next to each other. Each horizontal line across the diagram would represent a constant luminosity value. Stars on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram are not randomly distributed; instead, they are organized into distinct groups. One such pattern is the main sequence, which runs diagonally from the upper left to the lower right and consists of stars that show a relationship between temperature and luminosity - hotter stars tend to be more luminous.

The position of a star on the main sequence is primarily determined by its mass. However, stars can also be found above this sequence, particularly in the upper-right region of the H-R diagram. These stars are giants or supergiants, which are cool but very luminous due to their enormous size.

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