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A number that runs backwards, smaller meaning brighter.
Also known as: Apparent magnitude, Brightness scale astronomy
Stellar magnitude runs backwards: the brightest objects have the smallest and sometimes negative numbers. The scale descends from a Greek ranking of stars into six classes of brightness, later fixed so that five magnitudes correspond exactly to a hundredfold difference in light.
States the brightness of a celestial object on a scale in which smaller numbers mean brighter objects.
Contexts: Technical drawing, Maps
Descends from a Greek ranking into six classes, later defined so that a difference of five magnitudes is exactly a hundredfold ratio in brightness.
Contexts: Technical drawing, Maps
Extends to negative values for the brightest objects, so the sun and the brightest stars have magnitudes below zero.
Contexts: Technical drawing, Maps
A signed numeral with a decimal fraction, printed beside an object's name in a catalogue or chart.