absolute magnitude

noun

, Astronomy.

1. the magnitude of a star as it would appear to a hypothetical observer at a distance of 10 parsecs or 32.6 light-years.

absolute magnitude

noun

1. the apparent magnitude a given star would have if it were situated at a distance of 10 parsecs (32.6 light years) from the earth

absolute magnitude

1. See under at magnitude

Word History and Origins

Origin of absolute magnitude¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

“The absolute magnitude of these adverse effects is modest, but clinically relevant,” the report’s authors wrote.

From Washington Times

These reddening corrections were applied to the photometry to calculate absolute magnitudes and bolometric luminosities.

From Nature

I had underestimated the scope and scale of dishonesty, its depth and breadth, its absolute magnitude.

From New York Times

By absolute magnitudes are meant the magnitudes the stars would appear to have if they were all at the same standard distance from the earth.

From Project Gutenberg

When we say "absolute magnitude," we do not mean a magnitude which stands out of all relations to other facts in the universe.

From Project Gutenberg