What is the ONLY way to measure the mass of a star accurately?
A) Measure its distance using trigonometric parallax and its brightness using photometry.
B) It is not possible to measure the mass of a star.
C) Measure its spectral type and luminosity class, then use the H-R diagram.
D) Measure its gravitational effect on another object.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The only way to measure the mass of a star accurately is by measuring its gravitational effect on another object. This is typically done by observing the star in a binary system where the two objects orbit around their common center of mass. By measuring the period of their orbits and the distance between them, astronomers can calculate the masses of both objects using Kepler's laws of motion and Newton's law of gravitation.

What Is the ONLY Way to Measure the Mass of a Star