apparent magnitude

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. the magnitude of a star as it appears to an observer on the earth.

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apparent magnitude British  

noun

1. another name for magnitude

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apparent magnitude Scientific  

1. See under magnitude

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Etymology

Origin of apparent magnitude

First recorded in 1870–75

Compare meaning

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

• apparent magnitude vs. absolute magnitude

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

apparent magnitude

The company says it is planning to use anti-reflective materials on its next-generation satellites, as well as certain flight manoeuvres to reduce the crafts’ apparent magnitude.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 2, 2023

The apparent magnitude of Frelimo’s win was criticized by some independent analysts.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 17, 2019

You have enough information from this chapter to estimate the distance to Alpha Centauri, the second nearest star, which has an apparent magnitude of 0.

From Textbooks ● Oct. 13, 2016

Well, it has an apparent magnitude of 7.075, a similar mass and temperature to our own sun, and a Neptune-sized planet, HD164595 b, in its orbit.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 31, 2016

The obvious conclusions follow that the range of variety in the sidereal system is enormously greater than had been supposed, and that estimates of distance based upon apparent magnitude must be wholly futile.

From A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century Fourth Edition by Clerke, Agnes M. (Agnes Mary)