Return to Astronomy Index PageHertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram was developed at the turn of the early 20th century. The diagram shows the relationships between luminosity, color, temperature and absolute magnitude. The diagram basically shows that the larger a solar mass star the quicker it goes through its life cycle. Solar mass stars of approximately one lived most of their life on the main sequence. Small mass stars according to diagram live the longest because they don't consume their fuel quickly.