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

Kemmerer does not, in general, assign an absolute magnitude for "trade," but for 1890 he gives a figure.

From The Value of Money by Benjamin M. Anderson

When we say "absolute magnitude," we do not mean a magnitude which stands out of all relations to other facts in the universe.

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

By this method the absolute magnitude, and hence the distance of a star is accurately determined from estimates of the relative intensities of certain lines in stellar spectra.

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

A fast reading with the photocell gave me the apparent magnitude and a comparison with its absolute magnitude showed its distance.

From The Repairman by Harry Harrison

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 Benjamin M. (Benjamin McAlester) Anderson