STELLAR ASTROPHYSICS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Hertzsprung-Russell diagram A graph of stellar color, temperature, or spectral type against stellar luminosity or absolute magnitude. It was first plotted by Henry Norris Russell in 1913, but was discussed independently by Ejnar Hertzsprung at about the same time. The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is dominated by the main sequence, which forms a curved, diagonal band from bright blue stars to faint red ones, and contains stars in their core hydrogen-burning stage, and the giant branch, occupied by red giants. Other conspicuous regions are represented by the supergiants (above the giant branch) and the white dwarfs (below the main sequence). The HR diagram can be seen as both a snapshot of the state of a large collection of stars, or a generalization of the evolutionary pathways of stars. Related entry    • stellar evolution Related category    • STELLAR ASTROPHYSICS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP