Barnard's star is a near neighbor of the Sun whose properties we know quite well. It is a type M4V with absolute magnitude 13.22. Suppose that another star of spectral type M4V is observed to have apparent magnitude "8.22." How far away is it?

The star is at a distance of 100 parsecs.

Explanation:

The distance can be determined by means of the distance modulus:

 (1)

Where M is the absolute magnitude, m is the apparent magnitude and d is the distance in units of parsec.

Therefore, d can be isolated from equation 1

Then, Applying logarithmic properties it is gotten:

 (2)

The absolute magnitude is the intrinsic brightness of a star, while the apparent magnitude is the apparent brightness that a star will appear to have as is seen from the Earth.

Since both have the same spectral type is absolute magnitude will be the same.

Finally, equation 2 can be used:

Hence, the star is at a distance of 100 parsecs.

Key term:

Parsec: Parallax of arc seconds