MadSci Network: Astronomy |
Dear Brandy: The brightness of a star as seen from Earth is called the apparent magnitude. It is a function of the actual brightness (how much light a star emits, like a light bulb) and the star's distance from Earth. As seen from Earth, a very distant star that is putting out a lot of light may appear brighter than a nearby star that is emitting less light. The brightness of a star is not at all influenced by humans, but there are many stories and myths from different cultures that relate to the light of the stars. In some Native American legends it is said that the bright stars along the Milky Way are the camp fires of the recently deceased as they make their way to the afterworld. One currently popular Country song suggests the stars are "holes in the floor of heaven" that the angels can look through. These are great stories, and a very important part of our culture. However, they should not be confused with the scientific explanations. Best Regards, Rick De Van rdevan@rtd1.com http://www.rtd1.com
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