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1972•Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical SocietyOpen access

On the Stellar Luminosity Function from the Method of Mean Absolute Magnitudes

James F. Wanner

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Abstract

The method of mean absolute magnitudes for the determination of the luminosity function is examined in detail and its reliability tested. The method itself is found to contain inherent uncertainties which can produce variations of ± 30 per cent in the luminosity function, quite apart from errors in the observational data. The absolute magnitude of the peak in the luminosity function also varies according to the computational tactics adopted; Luyten's approach leads to a peak at MB = + 15.7 while the present study indicates a peak near MB = + 12.

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The method of mean absolute magnitudes for the determination of the luminosity function is examined in detail and its reliability tested. The method itself is found to contain inherent uncertainties which can produce variations of ± 30 per cent in the luminosity function, quite apart from errors in the observational data. The absolute magnitude of the peak in the luminosity function also varies according to the computational tactics adopted; Luyten's approach leads to a peak at MB = + 15.7 while the present study indicates a peak near MB = + 12.

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Available abstract

The method of mean absolute magnitudes for the determination of the luminosity function is examined in detail and its reliability tested. The method itself is found to contain inherent uncertainties which can produce variations of ± 30 per cent in the luminosity function, quite apart from errors in the observational data. The absolute magnitude of the peak in the luminosity function also varies according to the computational tactics adopted; Luyten's approach leads to a peak at MB = + 15.7 while the present study indicates a peak near MB = + 12.

Key concepts: Absolute magnitude, Physics, Luminosity function, Luminosity, Magnitude (astronomy), Astrophysics, Function (biology), Apparent magnitude

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