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  • Calculating Star Surface Temperature from Peak Wavelength - Antares Example
    Here's how to determine the surface temperature of Antares using its peak wavelength:

    Wien's Displacement Law

    Wien's Displacement Law relates the peak wavelength of radiation emitted by a blackbody (like a star) to its temperature. The law is:

    * λmax * T = b

    Where:

    * λmax is the peak wavelength (in meters)

    * T is the temperature (in Kelvin)

    * b is Wien's displacement constant (approximately 2.898 x 10-3 m·K)

    Calculations

    1. Convert wavelength to meters:

    700 nm = 700 x 10-9 m

    2. Rearrange the formula to solve for temperature:

    T = b / λmax

    3. Plug in the values:

    T = (2.898 x 10-3 m·K) / (700 x 10-9 m)

    4. Calculate the temperature:

    T ≈ 4140 K

    Therefore, the surface temperature of Antares is approximately 4140 Kelvin.

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