Question

Does the observed color of a star show evidence of an interstellar medium? Justify your answer

Answer 1

Yes, the observed color of a star show evidence of an interstellar medium. Color of a star is an indication of star's temperature. Blue colored star is the hottest (class O) while red colored stars are the coldest (class M). The higher the temperature higher will be the probability of thermonuclear fusions within the stars and thus, higher will be the matter (atoms, molecules) and radiations emitted. Interstellar medium is the collection of such emitted matter and high energy radiations (cosmic rays) between the stars in a galaxy. It may be considered as the environment among the stars in a galaxy. It consists of atoms and molecules of gases / dust and energetic charged particles (cosmic rays) which results due to the explosions in the stars (supernova explosions) and the radiations emitted from the stars (stellar winds). These matter in the interstellar medium gives birth to new stars. Thus, the color of the stars show an evidence of interstellar medium. The colors are recorded by a series of astronomical telescopes, each designed to capture specific color and all togather presents a multiphase structure (temperature and density) of the interstallar medium.