The apparent magnitude (m) of a celestial body is a measure of its brightness as seen by an observer on Earth, adjusted to the value it would have in the absence of the atmosphere. The brighter the object appears, the lower the value of its magnitude. Generally the visible spectrum (vmag) is used for the apparent magnitude, but other spectrums such as the near-infrared J-band magnitude are also used. In the visible spectrum Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky, while in the near-infrared J-band, Betelgeuse is the brightest star in the night sky.
Read more about Apparent Magnitude: History, Table of Notable Celestial Objects, Calculations, Standard Reference Values
Famous quotes containing the words apparent and/or magnitude:
“I am from time to time congratulating myself on my general want of success as a lecturer; apparent want of success, but is it not a real triumph? I do my work clean as I go along, and they will not be likely to want me anywhere again. So there is no danger of my repeating myself, and getting to a barrel of sermons, which you must upset, and begin again with.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“War is pillage versus resistance and if illusions of magnitude could be transmuted into ideals of magnanimity, peace might be realized.”
—Marianne Moore (1887–1972)