luminosity class
(Morgan-Keenan luminosity class, MK luminosity class, MK class, stellar luminosity class)
(classification of size/luminosity of stars)
A star's luminosity class (or Morgan-Keenan luminosity class
or MK luminosity class or MK class)
is a classification (star class) of the overall size of a star
(as are terms like giant star, supergiant, etc.)
which is a major contributor to its luminosity.
A description of a star might include its spectral type
and luminosity class. The general classifications are indicated
by Roman numerals:
Additional classification:
- 0 (zero) (or Ia+ or IA-0) - extreme luminous supergiant, aka, hypergiant.
- Ia - luminous supergiant.
- Ib - less luminous supergiant.
- Iab - intermediate between Ia and Ib.
- D - white dwarf (or VII).
The system is termed the Morgan-Keenan classification system.
(stars,classification,luminosity)
Further reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_classification
http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/M/Morgan-Keenan+Luminosity+Class
Referenced by pages:
astronomical quantities
main sequence star (MS)
M-type star (M)
spectral type
stellar astronomy
subdwarf (sd)
Index