Are Brown Dwarfs Part of the Main Sequence on the H-R Diagram?

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In summary, the location of brown dwarfs on the H-R diagram is at the lower right-hand tail of the main sequence, but they are not considered main sequence stars as they do not perform hydrogen fusion. They are plotted on the HR diagram according to their parameters and are labeled as spectral classes L and T. They can fuse deuterium if they reach a core temperature of 1 million degrees, but those too small to do so are often referred to as orphan planets.
  • #1
ZedCar
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Do Brown Dwarfs appear on the lower right hand "tail" of the main sequence of the H-R diagram?

Or are they separate from the main sequence?

The location here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:HR-diag-instability-strip.svg&page=1
appeared to show them in that location, but I wasn't sure if they are actually separate from the main sequence as the diagram isn't that clear on their location.

Thank you.
 
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  • #2
Brown dwarfs are not main sequence stars, as they never perform hydrogen fusion, but they appear on your link at the bottom right. I don't know how accurate that particular graph is.
 
  • #3
Thanks Drakkith.

So if I was drawing a sketch of the H-R diagram, and labelling the position of the brown dwarfs, would I just point out that they are on the lower right-hand tail of the main sequence.

Or should they be indicated as being completely separate from the main sequence in the way that white dwarfs are?
 
  • #4
If you are going to plot them, you have to plot them according to the parameters of the graph. This necessarily puts them at the lower right I believe.
 
  • #5
A couple extra spectral classes past M were invented for brown dwarfs - L and T, so they technically are on the HR diagram, but, not considered main sequence. They can fuse deuterium if they can achieve a core temperature of about 1 million degrees. The ones too small to fuse deuterium may as well be called orphan planets.
 
  • #6
Brown dwarfs, as previously stated, are not on the main sequence. They are small and relatively cool and fall in the lower right hand corner of the HR diagram.
 

FAQ: Are Brown Dwarfs Part of the Main Sequence on the H-R Diagram?

1. What are brown dwarfs?

Brown dwarfs are objects in space that are bigger than planets but smaller than stars. They are sometimes referred to as "failed stars" or "substars." They are not massive enough to sustain nuclear fusion in their cores, which is what makes stars shine.

2. How are brown dwarfs classified on the H-R diagram?

Brown dwarfs are classified as very low-mass stars on the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram. They fall below the main sequence line, which represents the range of temperatures and luminosities of stars that are actively fusing hydrogen in their cores.

3. Why are brown dwarfs important to study?

Brown dwarfs are important to study because they can provide insights into the formation and evolution of planets and stars. They also have unique physical properties and behaviors that can help us better understand the universe.

4. How are brown dwarfs different from stars?

Brown dwarfs are different from stars because they do not have enough mass to sustain nuclear fusion in their cores. This means they do not emit significant amounts of light and heat like stars do. They also have different chemical compositions and can have different atmospheric features.

5. What can the H-R diagram tell us about brown dwarfs?

The H-R diagram can tell us about the temperature, luminosity, and size of brown dwarfs. It can also show us where they fall in relation to stars and other celestial objects, providing insight into their formation and evolution. Additionally, the H-R diagram can help us identify and classify different types of brown dwarfs.

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