Mass-Luminosity Relation

• The more massive stars are generally the more luminous
• Luminosity varies as the fourth power of the mass
• Can be used to find the distance to binary star systems

Formula

• $\frac{L}{L_{sun}} = (\frac{M}{M_{sun}})^a$
  • $L_{sun}$ and $M_{sun}$ are the luminosity and mass of the Sun
  • $1 < a < 6$

Star Astronomy