Fundamentals of Astrophysics:

Questions and Exercises

Stan Owocki
1 Introduction

Quick Questions

1 Discuss how we can estimate the temperature of warm or hot object, e.g. a
stove, without touching it.

Solution A warm or hot object will radiate its heat in the infrared (IR),
which we cannot see, but can feel.

2 Discuss the ways we estimate distances and sizes in our everyday world.

Solution For nearby objects, we infer distance through our stereoscopic vi-
sion, through the parallax effect. For more distant objects, if we intuitively
know the size, then the ratio of this size to the observed angular size gives us
a measure of distance.

3 Discuss what sets our perception limits on the smallest intervals of time. How
might this differ in creatures of different size, e.g. a fly vs. a human?

Solution Our detection of a signal, e.g. by our eyes or our hands, must then
be transmitted by our nerves to our brain. The associated time delay is given
by the distance divided the speed of nerve transmission, which for humans is
of order 0.01-0.1 s. For smaller animals, like a bird or even a fly, the smaller
size implies generally much shorter reaction times.

4 For a typical car highway speed of 100 km/hr, about how long does it take to
travel from coast to coast? How does this compare to how long it would it take
drive to the moon? To the Sun? To alpha centauri?

Solution Coast-to-coast distance is d ≈ 5000 km, so t = d/v = 50 hr ≈ 2 d.

Moon distance is d ≈ 400, 000 km, so t = d/v = 4000 hr ≈ 160 d ≈ 0.5 yr.
Sun distance is d ≈ 1.5 × 108 km, so t = d/v = 1.5 × 106 hr ≈ 5.4 × 109 s
≈ 170 yr.
Alpha centauri distance is d ≈ 4.2 ly ≈ 4 × 1013 km, so t = d/v = 4 × 1011 hr
≈ 1.5 × 1015 s ≈ 50 Myr.

5 Why might astronomical observations be useful in measuring the speed of

light?
2 Introduction

Solution By timing the eclipses of the Jupiter moon Io, Ole Rmer estimated
that light would take about 22 minutes to travel a distance equal to the diam-
eter of Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
6 How does the speed of sound on Earth compare to the speed of light?
Solution Speed of sound cs ≈ 1500 km/hr ≈ 400 m/s, vs. speed of light c =
38 m/s. So c/cs ≈ 7.5 × 105 , i.e.almost factor million.
7 About how old is the oldest living thing on Earth? What about the oldest
animal?
Solution Oldest trees are about 5000 yr. Oldest animal is a shark, about 400
years old.
2 Astronomical Distances

Quick Questions
1 Betelgeuse has a diameter of about 1800 R , and a distance of d ≈ 220 pc.
What is its angular diameter in milli-arcsec?
Solution .
α = (1800 × R /220 pc) rad ≈ 9 au/(220 pc) rad = 0.074 arcsec = 74 milli-
arcsec.
2 What is the distance (in pc)to a star with a parallax of 0.1 arcsec?
Solution d = arcsec/p pc = 1/0.1pc = 10pc.
3 The average separation between human eyes is s ≈60 mm. Derive then a gen-
eral formula for the distance d (in m) to an object with visual parallax angle
α.
Solution d = s/α = 0.06/(α/rad) m.
4 If we lived on Mars instead of Earth, what would be the length of a parsec (in
km).
Solution .
Radius of Mars’ orbit smars ≈ 2.3 × 108 km, so pcmars = s(rad/arcsec) =
4.7 × 1013 km = 1.5 pcearth .
5 Over a period of several years, two stars appear to go around each other with
a fixed angular separation of 1 arcsec. What is the physical separation, in au,
between the stars if they have a distance d = 10 pc from Earth?
Solution α = 1 arcsec, s/au = α/arcsec d/pc = 10, so s = 10 au.
6 What angle α would the Earth-Sun separation subtend if viewed from a dis-
tance of d = 1 pc? Give your answer in both radian and arcsec. How about
from a distance of d = 1 kpc?
Solution α = (s/au)/(d/pc) arcsec, so for d = 1 pc, α = 1arcsec.
For d = 1 kpc, α = 0.001arcsec.
3 Stellar Luminosity

Quick Questions
1 Compute L given F = 1.4kW/m2 and the known value of an au.
Solution L = F 4π au2 = 1.4×103 W/m2 4π(1.5×1011 )2 = 3.9×1026 W
2 Recalling the relationship between an au and a parsec from equation (2.7), use
eqns. (3.8) and (3.9) to compute the apparent magnitude of the Sun. What
then is the Sun’s distance modulus?
Solution
By (3.9), M = 5 − 2.5 log(L/L ) = 5. From (3.8), we get m = M +
5 log(d/10pc) = 5+5 log(1 au/10pc) = 5+5 log((1/2×5pc)/10pc) = −26.5 = m .
m − M = 5 − 26.5 = −21.5 = m − M
3 Two stars have apparent magnitude m1 = +1 and m2 = −1. What the ratio
of their fluxes f1 /f2 .
Solution f1 /f2 = 10(m2 −m1 )/2.5 = 10(−1−1)/2.5 = 0.16.
4 Two stars have apparent magnitude m1 = +1 and m2 = +6. What the ratio
of their fluxes f1 /f2 .
Solution f1 /f2 = 10(m2 −m1 )/2.5 = 10(6−1)/2.5 = 100.
4 Surface Temperature from a Star’s
Color

Quick Questions
1 Derive equation (4.6) from equation (4.4) using the definition (4.5).
2 Using Bν dν = Bλ dλ and the relationship between frequency ν and wavelength
λ, derive equation (4.4) from equation (4.3).
3 As discussed in chapter 32, the Cosmic MIcrowave Background (CMB) has a
temperature of 2.7 K. What is its peak wavelength, both in nm and mm?
Solution λmax = 500 nm(6000 K/2.7 K) = 1.1 × 106 nm = 1.1 mm
4 Two photons have wavelength ratio λ2 /λ1 = 2.
a) What is the ratio of their period P2 /P1 ?
Solution P P2
1
= λλ21 /c λ2
/c = λ1 = 2
b) What is the ratio of their frequency ν2 /ν1 ?
1
Solution νν21 = c/λ 2 λ1
c/λ1 = λ2 = 2

c) What is the ratio of their energy E2 /E1 ?

1
Solution E hν2 ν2
E1 = hν1 = ν1 = 2
2

5 The star αCenA has a luminosity L = 1.5L , and lies at a distance of 4.37 ly.
What are its absolute magnitude M and apparent magnitude m? What then
is its distance modulus?
Solution M = 4.8 − 2.5 log(L/L ) = 4.8 − log(1.5) = 4.63.
m = M + 5 log(d/10pc) = 4.63 + log(4.37/3.6/10) = 3.76.
m − M = −0.87.
6 Two stars have the same luminosity, but star 2 is 10 times as far as star 1. Give
the ratio of their fluxes f2 /f1 and the difference in the apparent magnitude
m2 − m1 ?
Solution f2 /f1 = (L2 /L1 )/(d2 /d1 )2 = 1/(10)2 = 10−2
m2 − m1 = 2.5 log(f1 /f2 ) = 5
7 From figure 4.3, estimate the temperatures T (in K) of stars with colors B-V=1
and B-V=0.
Solution B − V = 0 gives T ≈ 11, 000 K; B − V = 1 gives T ≈ 5000 K.
6 Surface Temperature from a Star’s Color

8 Assuming the Earth has an average temperature equal to that of typical spring
day, i.e. 50◦ F, compute the peak wavelength of Earth’s blackbody radiation.
What part of the EM spectrum does this lie in?
Solution
◦
T = 50◦ F = (50◦ F − 32◦ F) 59 C = 10◦ C = 283 K ≈ 300 K
λmax = 500 nm 6000 K
300 K = 10000 nm = 10 µm .
This is in the InfraRed (IR).
5 Stellar Radius from Luminosity and
Temperature

Quick Questions
1 What is the luminosity (in L ) of a star with 10 times the solar temperature
and ten times the solar radius?
Solution L/L = (T /T )4 (R/R )2 = 104 102 = 106 .
2 What is the radius (in R ) of a star that is both twice as luminous and twice
as hot as the Sun?
Solution R/R = (L/L )1/2 (T /T )−2 = 21/2 2−2 = 2−3/2 .
3 Suppose star 2 is both twice as hot and twice as far star 1, but they have the
same apparent magnitude. What is the ratio of their stellar radii, R2 /R1 ?
Solution m1 = m2 implies F2 = F1 , so F2 /F1 = 1 = (L2 /L1 )/(d2 /d1 )2 ,
giving L2 /L1 = 4. R2 /R1 = (L2 /L1 )1/2 (T1 /T2 )2 = 2 ∗ (1/2)2 = 1/2.
4 A red giant star has a temperature of 3000 K and luminosity L = 1000L .
About what is its radius, R (in R )?
Solution
√ T = 3000 K = T /2, so R/R = (L/L )1/2 (T /T )−2 = 10001/2 (1/2)2 =
2.5 10 ≈ 8.
6 Composition and Ionization from
Stellar Spectra

Quick Questions
1 On the H-R diagram, where do we find stars that are:
a) Hot and luminous? Upper left
b) Cool and luminous? Upper right
c) Cool and Dim? Lower right
d) Hot and Dim? Lower left

2 Of the above, which of these are known as:

a) White Dwarfs? d
b) Red Giants? b
c) Blue supergiants? a
d) Red dwarfs? c

3 For the Gaia H-R diagram in figure 6.5, about what is the luminosity ratio
between a white-dwarf star (at, say, color index 1), and a main sequence star
of the same color? What is the implied ratio in the stellar radii, Rwd /Rms ?
Solution From figure 6.5, the absolute magnitude of a white dwarf is Mwd ≈
+14, while for mass sequence star of same color index 1 it is Mms ≈ 3, giving
a luminosity ratio Lms /Lwd = 10(Mwd −Mms )/2.5 = 1011/2.5 = 104.4 .
Since same color implies same temperature, we have Rwd /Rms = (Lwd /Lms )1/2 =
10−2.2 = 6.3 × 10−3 .

4 Referring to figure 6.3, what is the typical factor difference between the abun-
dance fractions of odd vs. even atomic numbers? Discuss possible reasons for
this difference? (Hint: Which can be made directly by fusion of Helium?)
Solution According to figure 6.3, even atomic number elements have nearly
a 100 times the abundance of next heigher odd element.
Such even number elements can be synthesized by multiple addition of a He-
lium nucleus, whereas odd element require more complex synthesis.
7 Surface Gravity and Escape/Orbital
Speed

Quick Questions
1 What is the ratio of the energy needed to escape the Earth vs. that needed to
reach LEO? What is the ratio of the associated speeds?

Solutionp Eesc = GM/R,

√ Eleo = GM/2Rpso Eesc = 2Eleo
Vesc = 2GM/R = 2Vleo , since Vleo = GM/R.
2 Weight change on different bodies Suppose a man weighs 200 lbs. on Earth.
What is his weight on:
a) The Sun.
Solution g /ge = (M /Me )/(R /Re )2 ≈ 27.
So W = 27 × 200 = 5400 lbs.
b) A red giant with M = 1M and R = 100R .
Solution W = 1/1002 W = 0.54 lbs.
c) A white dwarf with M = 1M and R = 0.01R .
Solution W = 1/(0.01)2 W = 5.4 × 107 lbs.
d) A neutron star with M = 1M and R = 10 km.
Solution W = 1 × (7 × 105 /10)2 W = 2.7 × 1012 lbs.

3 In CGS units, the Sun has log g ≈ 4.44. Compute the log g for stars with:
GM/R2 R2
Solve for log gast g = GM
R2 =⇒ g∗ /g = GM /R2
= MM ( R2 )−1 =⇒
log g∗ = log( MM ( RR −2
) ) + log g = 4.44 + log( MM ) − 2 log( RR )
a) M = 10M and R = 10R
Solution log g∗ = 4.44 + log( 10M
M ) − 2 log( 10R
R ) = 3.44
b) M = 1M and R = 100R
Solution log g∗ = 4.44 + log( 1M 100R
M ) − 2 log( R ) = 0.44
c) M = 1M and R = 0.01R
Solution log g∗ = 4.44 + log( 1M 0.01R
M ) − 2 log( R ) = 8.44
d) The Sun has an escape speed of Ve = 618 km/s. Compute the escape speed
Ve of the stars in the above. q q
2GM M/M
Reformulate into solar units Ve = R =⇒ Ve = 618 km/ s R/R

a.
10 Surface Gravity and Escape/Orbital Speed

q
Solution Ve = 618 km/ s 10M
10R
/M
/R = 618 km/ s
b. q
1M /M
Solution Ve = 618 km/ s 100R /R = 61.8 km/ s
c. q
1M /M
Solution Ve = 618 km/ s 0.01R /R = 6180 km/ s

4 The Earth orbits the Sun with an average speed of Vorb = 2πau/yr = 30 km/s.
Compute the orbital speed Vorb (in km/s) of a body at the following distances
from the stars with the quoted masses:
q q q
GM/r M/M
Solution Vorb = GM r =⇒ Vorb /Ve = GM /re = r/re =⇒ Vorb =
q
M/M
30 km/ s r/1 au

a) M = 10M and d = 10 au.q

Solution Vorb = 30 km/ s 10M /M
10 au/1 au = 30 km/ s
b) M = 1M and d = 100 au.q
1M /M
Solution Vorb = 30 km/ s 100 au/1 au = 3 km/ s
c) M = 1M and d = 0.01 au. q
1M /M
Solution Vorb = 30 km/ s 0.01 au/1 au = 300 km/ s

5 Rank the following in order of increasing energy change ∆E required:

a) Escaping the solar system from 1 au.
b) Escaping the Earth from its surface.
c) Escaping the Earth from low-earth-orbit.
d) Escape the solar system from Earth-Sun orbit.
e) Reducing Earth-Sun orbit to an orbit that would impact the Sun.
Solution c, b, d, e, a
8 Stellar Ages and Lifetimes

Quick Questions
1 What are the luminosities (in L ) and the expected main sequence lifetimes
(in Myr) of stars with masses:
a) 10 M ?
Solution L/L ∝ (M/M )3
tms = 10000Myr( M M )
2
M
tms = 10000 Myr( 10M )2 = 100 Myr = tms,a
L/L = (10M /M )3 =⇒ L = 103 L = La
b) 0.1 M ?
M
Solution tms = 10000Myr( 0.1M )2 = 106 Myr = tms,b
L/L = (0.1M /M )3 =⇒ L = 10−3 L = Lb
c) 100 M ?
M
Solution tms = 10000Myr( 100M )2 = 1Myr = tms,c
L/L = (100M /M )3 =⇒ L = 106 L = Lc
2 Confirm the integration result in equation (8.3).
3 What is the age (in Myr) of a cluster with a MS turnoff luminosity at:
a) L = 1L
b) L = 10L
c) L = 100L
d) L = 1000L
e) L = 105 L
f) L = 106 L
Solution tcluster = 10, 000 Myr( LL )−2/3
a. tcluster = 10, 000 Myr
b. tcluster = 2200 Myr
c. tcluster = 460 Myr
d. tcluster = 100 Myr
e. tcluster = 22 Myr
e. tcluster = 4.6 Myr
e. tcluster = 1 Myr
9 Stellar Space Velocities

Quick Questions
1 What’s the Doppler shift ratio ∆λ/λo for a star moving away by a speed
Vr = 150 km/s?
Solution ∆λ/λo = Vr /c = 150/(3 × 105 ) = 5 × 10−4 .
2 A line with rest wavelength λo = 1000 nm is observed in a star to have a
wavelength λ = 999 nm. What is the star’s radial speed Vr (in km/s) and is it
moving toward or away from us?
Solution Vo = c(λ − λo )/λo = c(−1/1000) = −300 km/s.
Since Vo < 0, it’s moving away.
3 A star with parallax p = 0.05 arcsec has a proper motion µ = 1 arcsec/yr.
What is its tangential speed Vt , in both km/s and au/yr?
Solution Vt = 4.7µ/p km/s = 4.71/0.05 = 94 km/s = 20au/yr.
4 What is the total space velocity V (in km/s) of a star that has both the
properties listed in the previous two questions?
p
Solution V = Vr2 + Vt2 = 314 km/s.
10 Using Binary Systems to Determine
Masses and Radii

Quick Questions
1 An asteroid of mass m  M has a circular orbit at a distance a = 4 au from
the Sun.
a) What is the asteroid’s orbital period P , in yrs?
Solution P/yr = (a/au)3/2 = 43/2 = 8, so P = 8 yr.
b) How would this change for an asteroid with orbital eccentricity  = 0.5 and
a semi-major axis a = 4 au?
Solution Kepler’s 3rd law does not depend on eccentricity, so it would not
change, with period still P = 8 yr.
c) How would this change if asteroid mass is doubled?
Solution For asteroid mass m  M , Kepler’s 3rd law also not depend on
the mass m, so doubling the mass would not change the period, which again
would be P = 8 yr.
d) What is the period (in yr) for a similar asteroid with a = 4 au orbiting a
star with mass M = 4M .
Solution .
For star of mass M , Kepler’s 3rd law becomes P/yr = (M/M )1/2 (a/au)2/3 ,
so now P = 41/2 × 8 = 16 yr.

2 In eclipsing binaries, note that the net area of stellar surface eclipsed is the
same whether the smaller or bigger star is in front. So why then is one of
the eclipses deeper than the other? What quantity determines which of the
eclipses will be deeper?
Solution The eclipse surface is the same, but the surface brightness of one
star can be greater than the other.
The surface brightness depends on temperature, so the eclipse of the hotter
star will be deeper.

3 About what are the luminosities L (in L ) of main-sequence stars with the
following masses:
a) M = 2M
b) M = 7M
c) M = 10M
14 Using Binary Systems to Determine Masses and Radii

d) M = 50M
e) M = 100M
Solution L/L = (M/M )3 , so
a. L = 8 L .
b. L = 343 L .
c. L = 1000L .
d. L = 1.25 × 105 L .
e. L = 106 L .
11 Stellar Rotation

Quick Questions
1 A line with rest wavelength λo = 500 nm is rotational broadened to a full
width of 0.5 nm. Compute the value of V sin i, in km/s.
Solution
∆λf ull 2V sin i ∆λf ull 0.5 nm 1 300 km/ s
λo = c =⇒ V sin i = 2λo c = 2·500 nm (c) = 2·103 (c) = 2 =
150 km/ s

2 Derive equation (11.3) from the definitions of rotational Doppler width ∆λrot
(11.1) and equivalent width Wλ (11.2), using the wavelength scaling given in
footnote 11.1.
3 Write a formula for the equatorial rotation speed Vrot (in km/s) in terms of a
star’s rotation period (in days) and radius R (in R ).
Solution Vrot = 2πR/P =
(R/R )/(P/day)(2π × 7 × 105 /(24 × 3600) = 51(R/R )/(P/day) km/s.
4 If the equatorial rotation speed is Vrot , what is the associated speed at any
latitude `? Does make any difference if this is in the northern (` > 0) or
southern (` < 0) hemisphere?
Solution V (θ) = Vrot cos `, and since cos is even function, speed is same for
a given latitude in north or south.