Changes

'''Star magnitude''' refers to the apparent brightness of [[star]]s.<ref name=britannica>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/science/magnitude-astronomy|title=Magnitude|accessdate=July 28, 2020|publisher=britannica}}</ref> More generally, the term "apparent magnitude" is a measure of how bright any astronomical object is as seen from [[Earth]]. The absolute magnitude of an object is the magnitude of the object as seen from 10 [[parsec]]s from the object. Somewhat confusingly, lower magnitudes correspond to brighter objects.  

'''Star magnitude''' refers to the apparent brightness of [[star]]s.<ref name=britannica>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/science/magnitude-astronomy|title=Magnitude|accessdate=July 28, 2020|publisher=britannica}}</ref> More generally, the term "apparent magnitude" is a measure of how bright any astronomical object is as seen from [[Earth]]. The absolute magnitude of an object is the magnitude of the object as seen from 10 [[parsec]]s from the object. Somewhat confusingly, lower magnitudes correspond to brighter objects.  

== History ==

== History ==

Stars were first classified by brightness by Hipparchus in 129 BC.  He produced the first well known catalog of stars in which the brightest stars were listed as "first magnitude" and the second grouping was "second magnitude".  This division went up to sixth magnitude.<ref>http://skytonight.com/howto/basics/3304516.html</ref>

Stars were first classified by brightness by Hipparchus in 129 BC.  He produced the first well known catalog of stars in which the brightest stars were listed as "first magnitude" and the second grouping was "second magnitude".  This division went up to sixth magnitude.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/21640-star-luminosity-and-magnitude.html|title=Brightest Stars: Luminosity & Magnitude|accessdate=July 28, 2020|publisher=space.com|name=Elizabeth Howell|date=October 11, 2017}}</ref>

The observation of different brightness of stars is mentioned also in the [[New Testament]]: ''"The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor."''<ref>{{cite web |title=Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:41 (New International Version)|publisher=Bible Gateway |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A41&version=NIV|quote=Credit:Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®}}</ref>

The observation of different brightness of stars is mentioned also in the [[New Testament]]: ''"The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor."''<ref>{{cite web |title=Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:41 (New International Version)|publisher=Bible Gateway |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A41&version=NIV|quote=Credit:Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®}}</ref>

In 140 AD, Claudius Ptolemy added "greater" and "smaller" within the magnitude to separate them further.

In 140 AD, Claudius Ptolemy added "greater" and "smaller" within the magnitude to separate them further.

With Galileo and the telescope, it was possible to make out stars that were much dimmer than sixth magnitude.

With [[Galileo]] and the [[telescope]], it was possible to make out stars that were much dimmer than sixth magnitude.

== Modern definition ==

== Modern definition ==