Eddington limit

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | 456 words | Copyright

Eddington limit The theoretical upper limit to the luminosity of a star of given mass, at which the outward force of radiation on the stellar surface just balances the inward force of gravity. Stars with a greater luminosity would be blown apart by their own radiation. The Eddington limit for the Sun is 30 000 times its actual luminosity. The maximum mass of a star set by the Eddington limit is about 120 solar masses. It is named after A. S.Eddington.

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