New in Wolfram Mathematica 7: Dynamic Astronomical Computation ◄ previous | next ►
Simulate Star Colors
Many new properties are available such as mass, radius, and temperature for stars. The color of stars is primarily determined by their effective temperature.
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Click for copyable input
starColorPlot[star_] := 

  Graphics3D[{ColorData["BlackBodySpectrum"][

     AstronomicalData[star, "EffectiveTemperature"]], Sphere[]}, 

   Boxed -> False, 

   Lighting -> {{"Ambient", Gray}, {"Directional", White, 

      ImageScaled[{0, 0, 1}]}}, PlotLabel -> star];

starColorPlot /@ {"Rigel", "Sirius", "Sun", "Betelgeuse"}
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