WordValeluminosity
the total amount of light a star emits
In more detail
1. (noun) the quality of being bright or shining; the amount of light that something produces or reflects
2. (noun) in astronomy, the total amount of energy that a star or other object radiates into space
Examples
- 1. The luminosity of the full moon is bright enough to see by at night.
- 2. Astronomers measure a star's luminosity to determine its distance and age.
How to use luminosity
Luminosity refers to the inherent quality or quantity of light emitted or reflected by an object. In general use, it emphasizes brightness and radiance, while in astronomy it has a precise technical meaning referring to the total power radiated by a star. It is more formal and technical than the everyday word 'brightness'.
Common phrases
- high luminosity
- stellar luminosity
- luminosity function
- apparent luminosity
- relative luminosity
Synonyms
brightness · brilliance · radiance · light · luminance
Opposites
darkness · dimness
Word family
luminous (adjective) · luminously (adverb) · luminance (noun) · luminosity class
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse luminosity with illumination; luminosity is the light produced by an object itself, whereas illumination is the light falling on a surface from an external source.
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