absolute magnitude

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. the magnitude of a star as it would appear to a hypothetical observer at a distance of 10 parsecs or 32.6 light-years.

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absolute magnitude British  

noun

1. the apparent magnitude a given star would have if it were situated at a distance of 10 parsecs (32.6 light years) from the earth

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absolute magnitude Scientific  

1. See under at magnitude

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Etymology

Origin of absolute magnitude

First recorded in 1900–05

Compare meaning

How does absolute-magnitude compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• apparent magnitude vs. absolute magnitude

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

absolute magnitude

The absolute magnitude of this star is 11m.7 and it is, with the exception of one other, the very faintest star now known.

From Lectures on Stellar Statistics by Charlier, Carl Vilhelm Ludvig

These relations are, absolute magnitude of force, relation of force and of the different arms mutually, and nature of the country.

From On War — Volume 1 by Graham, J. J., Colonel

Differences of absolute magnitude, density, period of revolution, eccentricity, and inclination of the orbits.

From COSMOS: A Sketch of the Physical Description of the Universe, Vol. 1 by Humboldt, Alexander von

The absolute magnitude of a star is inferred from the relative intensities of certain lines in its spectrum, so that the observed apparent magnitude at once enables us to calculate the distance of the star.

From Astronomy: The Science of the Heavenly Bodies by Todd, David Peck

The incompatibility of the two opposing conceptions comes out strikingly here: if value be an absolute magnitude, then there can be a general rise or fall of values without disturbing exchange ratios at all—12:6::6:3.

From Social Value A Study in Economic Theory Critical and Constructive by Anderson, Benjamin M. (Benjamin McAlester)