Apparent & Absolute Magnitude Calculator
This calculator helps astronomy enthusiasts and professionals calculate the apparent and absolute magnitudes of celestial objects, essential for understanding their brightness and distance.
Magnitude Calculator
Results
Absolute Magnitude
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Data Source and Methodology
All calculations are strictly based on the formulas provided by astronomical standards and data obtained from reliable scientific resources.
The Formula Explained
Formula for Absolute Magnitude: \( M = m - 5 \log_{10}(d) + 5 \)
Glossary of Terms
- Apparent Magnitude (m): The brightness of a star as seen from Earth.
- Distance (d): The distance to the star in parsecs.
- Absolute Magnitude (M): The intrinsic brightness of a star.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is absolute magnitude?
Absolute magnitude is a measure of the intrinsic brightness of a celestial object.
How do I calculate apparent magnitude?
Apparent magnitude is measured directly using telescopic observations.
Formula (LaTeX) + variables + units
This section shows the formulas used by the calculator engine, plus variable definitions and units.
Formula (extracted LaTeX)
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Formula (extracted text)
\( M = m - 5 \log_{10}(d) + 5 \)
Variables and units
- No variables provided in audit spec.
Sources (authoritative):
- NIST — Weights and measures — nist.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures - FTC — Consumer advice — consumer.ftc.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://consumer.ftc.gov/
Changelog
Version: 0.1.0-draft
Last code update: 2026-01-19
Last code update: 2026-01-19
0.1.0-draft · 2026-01-19
- Initial audit spec draft generated from HTML extraction (review required).
- Verify formulas match the calculator engine and convert any text-only formulas to LaTeX.
- Confirm sources are authoritative and relevant to the calculator methodology.