Stellar Continuum (part 2)

5 Março 2020, 15:00 • Israel Matute Troncoso

Followed the introduction of the blackbody approximation to the stellar continuum and extensively discussed the color-temperature relation using the Wein displacement law. 

Other fundamental relations are discussed between the color and physical properties of the star using the Planks law.

The energy emitted by a blackbody (star) of given temperature through the Stephan-Boltzman law takes us to the definition of the observed Luminosity of a star as a function of a defined “effective temperature”. The exact meaning of this effective temperature will be described in more detail on the lectures dedicated the stellar atmospheres.

To finish the effects of the interstellar medium (ISM) in the observables are introduced: (i) composition of the ISM and the impact on measured fluxes; (ii)T the concepts and origin of extinction laws, optical depth and column density are described and discussed.

NOTE: This Lab hour was not dedicated to solving of exercises as the students did not have yet enough material to solve them. The "Teórico-Prático" lectures will start on the next week