⭐ Magnitude Converter
Convert between apparent and absolute magnitude
Apparent Magnitude
-1.46
as seen from Earth
Absolute Magnitude
1.43
at 10 parsecs
Distance Modulus
-2.89
Distance (pc)
2.64
Luminosity (× Sun)
2.28e+1
Distance (ly)
8.60
🌌 Reference Objects (Apparent Magnitude)
| Object | Magnitude | Brightness vs Sirius |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | -26.74 | 7.73e-11× |
| Full Moon | -12.74 | 3.08e-5× |
| Venus (brightest) | -4.89 | 4.25e-2× |
| Mars (brightest) | -2.91 | 2.63e-1× |
| Jupiter (brightest) | -2.94 | 2.56e-1× |
| Sirius (A) | -1.46 | 1.00e+0× |
| Canopus | -0.74 | 1.94e+0× |
| Arcturus | -0.05 | 3.66e+0× |
| Vega | 0.03 | 3.94e+0× |
| Polaris | 1.98 | 2.38e+1× |
| Naked eye limit (city) | 3.00 | 6.08e+1× |
| Naked eye limit (dark) | 6.50 | 1.53e+3× |
| Binocular limit (10x50) | 9.00 | 1.53e+4× |
| Small telescope limit | 12.00 | 2.42e+5× |
| Hubble limit | 31.50 | 1.53e+13× |
📐 Formulas
Distance Modulus: m - M = 5 × log₁₀(d) - 5
where d is distance in parsecs
Brightness Ratio: I₁/I₂ = 10^((m₂-m₁)/2.5)
Each magnitude difference of 1 = 2.512× brightness difference
Luminosity Ratio: L/L☉ = 10^((4.83-M)/2.5)
Compared to the Sun (M☉ = 4.83)
💡 Key Concepts
Apparent magnitude (m): How bright an object appears from Earth. Lower = brighter.
Absolute magnitude (M): How bright an object would appear at a standard distance of 10 parsecs.
Scale: The magnitude scale is logarithmic. A difference of 5 magnitudes = 100× brightness difference.