HSC Physics Astrophysics Notes

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HSC Physics Summary ©

Ben 2010-present

UNIT #4: Astrophysics

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Definitions

Annual Parallax

A change in apparent position of a nearby star (angle) with respect to distant stars as the observer’s position changes. The diameter of Earth’s elliptical orbit is used as the base line for determining the annual parallax of a star. The annual parallax of a nearby star ( 0.1M

Globular Cluster Only the lower portion of the main sequence is present (cooler stars age slower) Many red giants / White dwarfs / highly luminous, large stars All stellar masses