The Distance Modulus
If we know a star’s absolute magnitude,
we can infer its distance by comparing
absolute and apparent magnitudes:
Distance Modulus
= m
V
– M
V
= -5 + 5 log
10
(d [pc])
Distance in units of parsec
Equivalent:
d = 10
(m
V
– M
V
+ 5)/5
pc
0