[ SPACE 4e ] Minimum Luminosity

[manhamster]

I have not turned up entries concerning this.

Concerns the minimum luminosity table ( correction the L-Min on the Stellar Evolution Table ). Does anyone know the possible formula for behind those L-Min numbers? Probably not the actual scientific formula unless you think that was the one used.

I tried some variations, going with the assumption that it is calculated based on stellar mass ( in Sols ), but with no luck.

I am inquiring partly of out curiosity and the other part is using a formula ( in a project I am toying with ) would be more efficient than doing a bunch of IF statements ( what I'm using is not Excel so I do not have the benefit of using VLOOkUP ).

[Captain Joy]

Could you clarify a bit? You’re asking for a “formula” for luminosity as a function of mass for low-mass stars?

[Sunrunners_Fire]

Originally Posted by manhamster

I have not turned up entries concerning this.

Concerns the minimum luminosity table. Does anyone know the possible formula for minimum luminosity?

I tried some variations, going with the assumption that it is calculated based on stellar mass ( in Sols ), but with no luck.

I am inquiring partly of out curiosity and the other part is using a formula ( in a project I am toying with ) would be more efficient than doing a bunch of IF statements ( what I'm using is not Excel so I do not have the benefit of using VLOOkUP ).

"minimum luminosity" for ...? Minimum to do what?

Absent clarification, more information can be found here.

[Agemegos]

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

Could you clarify a bit? You’re asking for a “formula” for luminosity as a function of mass for low-mass stars?

I think the OP wants a formula for the luminosity of a star at the beginning of its life on the main sequence, as a function of mass. That's the value given as "L-Min" on the Stellar Evolution Table, p. 103 of GURPS Space.

In real astrophysics that is called the "zero-age main sequence luminosity". There's a fitted analytical function on the second page of Tout, C. A., Pols, O. R., Eggleton, P. P., & Han, Z. "Zero-age main-seqence radii and luminosities as analytic functions of mass and metallicity" Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 281, Issue 1, pp. 257-262, but I don't think you're going to like it.

[Anthony]

In practice, starting with a table of values and extrapolating will get you closer than you can possibly need for gaming.