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The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram can be considered a graphic comparison of which of the following stellar characteristics?

A) surface temperature vs. spectral type
B) apparent magnitude vs. distance
C) luminosity vs. surface temperature
D) absolute magnitude vs. radial velocity
E) spectral type vs. distance

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram is a plot that compares stellar luminosity and surface temperature, with most stars aligning along the Main Sequence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram is an important tool in astrophysics that allows us to understand various characteristics of stars. Specifically, the HR diagram is a graphic comparison of luminosity vs. surface temperature of stars. When we plot these two attributes, most stars can be found along the Main Sequence, which runs diagonally from high temperature and high luminosity to low temperature and low luminosity. The position of a star on this sequence is primarily determined by its mass, with high-mass stars being hotter and more luminous than their low-mass counterparts.

Furthermore, the HR diagram also showcases other stellar groupings such as white dwarfs, and giants or supergiants. Each of these groups lies in different regions of the HR diagram, making this tool extremely valuable for studying stellar evolution, star formation, and stellar structure.

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