main sequence

1 definition found

main sequence - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  main sequence \main" se`quence\, n. (Astronomy)
     That region on a two-dimensional graph of luminosity versus
     temperature for stars (the Herzsprung-Russel diagram), which
     runs from high temperature and high luminosity to low
     temperature and low luminosity, in which most of the stars
     (plotted as points on the diagram) are found. A normal star
     such as the earth's sun will spend most of its time over
     billions of years within this region of temperature and
     luminosity, as it progressively converts more of its original
     hydrogen into heavier elements. After the hydrogen is
     consumed, a star may become a red giant or evolve into
     other types of star not within the main sequence region.
     [PJC]