FullCalculator

Spectral Class Temperature Calculator

Spectral Class Temperature

Estimate the surface temperature, color, and luminosity class of a star based on its spectral classification or convert a known temperature to spectral type.

Formula

Temperature = interpolation within spectral class range; Peak Wavelength = 2,897,771 / Temperature (Wien law)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are stellar spectral classes?
Stars are classified by spectral type using the sequence O, B, A, F, G, K, M from hottest to coolest. Each type is subdivided into subclasses 0-9, with 0 being the hottest within each class.
What spectral class is the Sun?
The Sun is a G2V star with a surface temperature of about 5,778 K. The G means it is a yellow main-sequence star and the V indicates it is on the main sequence.
How does spectral class relate to luminosity?
Hotter spectral classes are generally more luminous. An O-type star can be millions of times more luminous than the Sun, while an M-type red dwarf may be less than one-thousandth as luminous.

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