29:50 MODERN ASTRONOMY
Second Homework Set...September 15, 1999

Note: Be sure to consult the Appendices in your book.
Having problems? Don't go around confused and despondent! Ask for help! The purpose of these problem sets is to help you learn something.

(1) Assume a small town uses a Megawatt of power. If you could convert one gram of matter completely to energy, how long would it provide the town's energy requirements?

2.9 years

(2) The star Capella is the same color as the Sun. Its apparent magnitude is +0.05 and its distance is 14 parsecs. Is it like or unlike the Sun?

Unlike the Sun. Its absolute magnitude is -0.7 instead of +4.85

(3) How far away could the Hubble Space Telescope see a star like the Sun?

Approximately one Megaparsec.

(4) Look at Figure 16-20. With the information there, and what you know from class, estimate a typical apparent magnitude for a white dwarf star. Do you think you could see any with the unaided eye?

About 9 - 13. It depends on exactly what you assume for the typical distance.

(5) Look at problems on p381. Do #3.

46 years

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