Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > A Dictionary of Astronomy > January 1997

bolometric correction

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | 606 words | Copyright

bolometric correction The difference between the visual and bolometric magnitudes of an object. Two zero-points are in use, which differ by 0.07 mag. One defines the Sun to have zero bolometric correction. The other has its zero-point set so that bolometric corrections for all stars are positive; this is because other stars emit more energy than the Sun at non-visual wavelengths, either in the ultraviolet for hotter stars or the infrared for cooler stars. Confusingly, some authorities define bolometric correction as bolometric magnitude minus visual magnitude, which makes all values negative.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"bolometric correction." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"bolometric correction." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-bolometriccorrection.html

"bolometric correction." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-bolometriccorrection.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: