The star magnitude scale is used to measure the intensity of the brightness of stars. The lower the magnitude, the brighter the star will be. Because stars can be varying distances away, a logarithmic scale is used, meaning that the brightness of any star is 2.5 times brighter than the star of 1 magnitude; a star of the second magnitude is 2.5 times brighter than a star of the third magnitude, and a star of the third magnitude is 2.5 times brighter than a star of the fourth magnitude. To determine apparent magnitude of a star, take 2.5x, x being 1 less than the magnitude of the star.
Instructions
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1
Write down the formula for apparent magnitude, which is 2.5^x-1 = # of times dimmer than a star of the first magnitude.
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2
Determine what number to substitute in for x, which is one less than the magnitude of the star. For example, a star with a magnitude of 1 will be zero times dimmer than a 1st magnitude star because it is a first magnitude star, a star with a magnitude of 2 will be 2.5 times dimmer than a first magnitude star, and a star with the magnitude of 3 will be 2.5 times dimmer than a star of the second magnitude.
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3
Substitute in your number for x and complete the formula.