One of the largest stars in our galaxy is VY Canis Majoris. This star’s radius is 1420 times the radius of the Sun. The luminosity of this star is 270000 times the luminosity of the Sun.
A student states that the surface temperature of VY Canis Majoris must be much greater than the surface temperature of the Sun.
Determine whether the student’s statement is correct.
surface temperature of Sun = 5780 K
luminosity of Sun = 3.85 × 1026 W
radius of Sun = 6.96 × 108 m
Calculate the wavelength with maximum intensity in the black body radiation spectrum of VY Canis Majoris.
Wavelength = ....................................................................
Add the position of VY Canis Majoris to the Hertzsprung Russell diagram to determine which type of star it is.
Type of star ....................................................................
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