luminosity Definition
- 1the quality of being bright and giving off light
- 2the amount of light that is given off by a star, planet, or other object in space
Using luminosity: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "luminosity" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The luminosity of the stars in the night sky is breathtaking.
Example
The luminosity of the sun is what makes it possible for life to exist on Earth.
Example
The luminosity of the firefly is due to a chemical reaction in its body.
luminosity Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with luminosity
the brightness of a star as seen from Earth
Example
The apparent luminosity of Sirius is greater than that of any other star.
the actual amount of light given off by a star
Example
The absolute luminosity of the sun is about 3.8 x 10^26 watts.
a mathematical function that describes the distribution of luminosities of objects in a particular astronomical population
Example
The luminosity function of galaxies can provide insight into their formation and evolution.
Summary: luminosity in Brief
Luminosity [ˌluːmɪˈnɒsɪti] refers to the quality of being bright and giving off light, or the amount of light given off by an object in space. Examples include the luminosity of stars and the sun, and the chemical reaction that causes the luminosity of fireflies. Phrases like 'apparent luminosity' and 'absolute luminosity' describe different aspects of luminosity, while the 'luminosity function' is a mathematical function used in astronomy.
