Supergiant Stars Essay Example
Supergiant Stars Essay Example

Supergiant Stars Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (316 words)
  • Published: August 18, 2018
  • Type: Research Paper
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Research conducted by astronomers from Lowell Observatory aimed to identify rare yellow massive stars and red supergiants in two adjacent galaxies, enabling them to test theoretical models explaining the transition of stars from blue to yellow and eventually to red. These models also help predict the behavior of certain stars when they explode as supernovae. Examples of red supergiants include Antares, Mu Cephei, and Betelgeuse, while yellow supergiants include Rho Cassiopeiae and Canopus.

Lowell Observatory Astronomers utilized the Multiple Mirror Telescope in Arizona and NOAO facilities in Chile to observe the red and yellow massive stars located in galaxies of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and M33, which are the closest to us. The data obtained from these observations closely matched the theoretical results derived from computer models at Geneva Observatory in Switzerland. Astronomers have concluded that the

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understanding of star evolution and its lifespan can be aided by the Hertz sprung-Russell diagram. These stars shine brightly and possess high temperatures due to hydrogen fusion occurring in their cores. However, as a star's core depletes towards the end of its lifespan, its temperature and brightness undergo changes. Mathematical models based on the Hertz sprung-Russell diagram are employed to predict how a star's temperature and brightness vary throughout its lifespan.

Previously, evolution models predicted numerous yellow super giants that had longer lifespans compared to actual stars. The group at Lowell conducted a study on supergiants in nearby galaxies, excluding our Milky Way due to the difficulties in identifying and characterizing stars with their varying distances. The astronomers selected stars based on their angular motion and colors across the sky. They then utilized Hydra and Chile's spectrograph on th

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Blanco 4-meter telescope to collect spectra for approximately 2,000 stars in the LMC study. The same spectra were obtained using Arizona's Hectospec on the 6.5-meter MMT telescope. The spectra reveal the radial velocity of the star.

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