Thread: Green Stars
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Old 09-11-2008, 11:26 PM
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ngcles
The Observologist

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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Billimari, NSW Central West
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Little green ... stars

Hi Darrell & All,

You might find this short article of interest:

http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/q72.html


In a nut-shell, to quote: "colour does not exist as an 'objective property' of nature" -- there are no actual green stars. Our eye's perception of colour is a result of its differing sensitivity to different wavelengths across the visible spectrum.

Really, there is only Blue, White, Yellow, Orange and Red stars -- as we see them with our eyes that are only sensitive to certain colours.

Having said that, I've seen a lot of interesting colours in pairs (double stars) such as lilac, green, aquamarine and even pink (what'll they think of next a pink star!)

These colours are not "real" in the sense that it is a property of that star, they are contrast effects because of the colouration of the other star.

Hope this helps,


Best,

Les D
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