Homework #3

Due October 6, 2009

This assignment is to write two routines and submit them to Will.

The first routine is the function described in the textbook Exercise 15.8.2 (a blackbody function).

The second routine is to be a main program that uses the blackbody function to plot the spectrum of three stars on a single plot, using the blackbody approximation to the spectrum. The spectral types are B9, G2, and M2. All are main sequence and located at 25parsecs. Please plot the flux received at Earth as a function of wavelength. Make the color of each star different to reflect its apparent color to the eye. Fully label axes and the plot. Please define the physical characterstics of the stars (size, distance, etc) as parameters and include the conversion of blackbody to flux as lines of code using those parameters.