The light from Polaris is 24.2 times less intense than the light received from Sirius. Which star is the truly brighter star, that is, emitting more visual light at its surface
A)Polaris
B)Sirius
C)Neither, they emit the same amount at their surfaces.
D)This cannot be determined based upon the information given.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The intensity of light we observe from a star depends on both its intrinsic brightness (how much light it emits) and its distance from us. Without knowing the distances to Polaris and Sirius or their actual luminosities, we cannot determine which star is truly brighter at its surface.

The Light from Polaris Is 24