11.1: Introduction
- Page ID
- 29736
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
Astronomy Laboratory 11 – The H-R Diagram
Module Introduction

Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, or H-R diagram. Some 22,000 stars make up the data for this specific illustration. HRDiagram by Richard Powell is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5
The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram, H-R Diagram, is a useful tool which plots stellar luminosity versus temperature. Building on the Star Colors and Spectroscopy lab, you will detail how the H-R Diagram works, and plot some of the stars observed in Lab 10, Star Colors and Spectroscopy. (1)
Objectives
At the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Plot a H-R diagram using provided data
- Analyze the data and make interpretations using the H-R diagram (1)
Outcomes
The material in this module includes content designed to meet the following course outcomes:
- Explain and apply major concepts in astronomy including planets, satellites, stars, meteors, galaxies, and theories of the universe.
- Demonstrate knowledge of scientific method.
- Communicate scientific ideas through oral or written assignments.
- Interpret scientific models such as formulas, graphs, tables and schematics, draw inferences from them and recognize their limitations.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically.
- Demonstrate the ability to use scientific and quantitative reasoning. (1)
Assigned Readings
Learning Unit 11
Assignments
- Plotting a H-R Diagram Exercise
- Lab 11 Quiz (1)
CC licensed content, Original
- Authored by: Florida State College at Jacksonville. License: CC BY: Attribution