Category: Space > Stellar Temperature
The color of a star is a direct reflection of its surface temperature, a phenomenon explained by Wien's displacement law. Hotter stars, with surface temperatures exceeding 30,000 degrees Celsius, emit light that appears blue, while cooler stars, with temperatures around 3,000 degrees Celsius, emit red light. This color variation arises because hotter stars radiate more energy at shorter wavelengths, resulting in a blue hue, whereas cooler stars emit energy at longer wavelengths, producing a red appearance. This intriguing aspect not only allows astronomers to classify stars but also offers insights into their life cycles, as the temperature influences their size, brightness, and eventual fate—whether they will end as supernovae, white dwarfs, or other stellar remnants.
