Stellar Luminosity Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the stellar luminosity calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Stellar Luminosity Calculator

Formulas Used

Luminosity (L_sun)

luminosity_solar = pow(10, (4.83 - abs_magnitude) / 2.5)

Luminosity (W)

luminosity_watts = pow(10, (4.83 - abs_magnitude) / 2.5) * 3.828e26

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
abs_magnitudeAbsolute Magnitude0

How It Works

Luminosity from Absolute Magnitude

L / L_sun = 10^((M_sun - M_star) / 2.5)

where M_sun = 4.83 (visual). A star 5 magnitudes brighter than the Sun is 100 times as luminous.

Worked Example

A star with M = 0.

abs_magnitude = 0
  1. 01L/L_sun = 10^((4.83 - 0) / 2.5)
  2. 02= 10^(1.932) ≈ 85.5
  3. 03This star is about 85.5 times as luminous as the Sun.

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Stellar Luminosity Calculator