The Mass-Luminosity Relationship

A mnemonic device is a learning technique that aids memory. Most mnemonics are verbal. They could be something like a short poem or a list of words to help you remember something new. They work because they will help you associate newly-learned material with a statement that is easy to remember. Students from the elementary through college level use mnemonic devices to learn and to study. In fact, you may have already used mnemonic devices without knowing the appropriate name for them.

There are a few popular mnemonic devices concerning the order of the planets.  Please see the chart below for a few examples. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union declared that Pluto was no longer a planet. This caused the mnemonic to change.

In this topic, you learned that stars are classified by into several different spectral classes. These classes are; O, B, A, F, G, K, and M. For this assignment, you will need to create a mnemonic device to help you and your fellow students remember these spectral classes. Using the Spectral Classes Mnemonic Device Template, create a mnemonic device. Then in the cells next to the class, include notes about the color, temperature, mass, and number of each of these spectral classes.

Once you have completed the Spectral Classes Mnemonic Device Template, please submit your work to the dropbox.