I’ve spent a lot of time trying to answer certain questions in astronomy, where I just want a rough approximation for the purpose of a simulation, and don’t need an exact answer. These are some of the equations I’ve come up with.

Yerkes Classes’ T/M_v Relations

These equations are shown as functions where x is temperature in Kelvin, and f(x) is absolute magnitude (visual). Most are valid from 2400 K to a little bit past 30000 K, the exceptions are noted. For the hypergiants and white dwarfs, the range is within an elliptical region, of which these functions define the major axis; for all others, they are a trend line along a Yerkes classification.

• Hypergiants (0):
  f(x) = -8.9
• Supergiants (Ia):
  f(x) = -0.00135x³ + 0.0233x² + 0.0187x – 7.349
• Supergiants (Ib):
  f(x) = 0.00329x³ – 0.0962x² + 0.829x – 7.209
• Bright Giants (II):
  f(x) = 0.00557x³ – 0.166x² + 1.505x – 6.816
• Giants (III):
  f(x) = 0.0135x³ – 0.373x² + 3.019x – 7.233
• Subgiants (IV):
  f(x) = -0.151x² + 2.216x – 5.128 (4450-100000 K only)
• Dwarfs (V):
  f(x) = 0.00193x⁵ – 0.0615x⁴ + 0.742x³ – 4.257x² + 12.439x – 12.996 (note: this one is the least accurate)
• Subdwarfs (VI):
  f(x) = 0.131x³ – 3.275x² + 27.576x – 71.7 (3050-6000 K only)
• White Dwarfs (VII):
  f(x) = 0.489x + 10.01 (4450-30000 K only)

Simple Conversions

• Absolute Magnitude (visual) → Luminosity (solar luminosities):
  L_sun = 100 * exp(-0.944 * M_v)
  Accurate between 0-10 M_v. Probably continues accuracy relatively well.
• Main Sequence Luminosity / Mass Relation:
  L_star / L_sun = (M_star / M_sun)^3.5
  L_star = ( 3.68 * ln(M_star) – 0.244 )^e
  (The second equation applies to all stars.)
• Mass / Lifetime Relation:
  T_years = ( 23.4 – 2.68 * ln(M_star) )^e
  (This applies to all stars.)

Spectral filters are used to help classify stars. Ultraviolet, Blue, Visual, Red, and Infrared. Objects are listed in different indexes:

• U–V for the hottest objects (stellar remnants, galaxies)
• B–V (the majority of stars)
• R–I for the coolest (LTY “stars” and below)

Equations I no longer recommend

Provided for completeness, in case they are found to be useful.

• Temperature (K) → Absolute Magnitude (visual):
  M_v = 35.463 * exp(-0.000353 * T)
  Roughly accurate between 2000-50000 Kelvin. Probably doesn’t continue accuracy at hotter temperatures. Previously this was at the top of this post, now I am not sure why (perhaps the simplicity). The Yerkes’ classifications are a better system.
• B-V index (x) → Temperature (K):
  T = -772.2x³ + 3152x² – 6893x + 9500
  Sorta accurate between 0-2. (This equation I am least comfortable with, and don’t plan to use.)