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Increasing Surface Temperature Canopus, Polaris, and Betelgeuse are classified as supergiant stars. Based on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, what characteristics do these three stars have in common?

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User Deidre
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Final answer:

Supergiant stars Canopus, Polaris, and Betelgeuse share characteristics of high luminosity and large diameters, with cool surface temperatures. They are found in the upper right corner of the H-R diagram.

Step-by-step explanation:

Canopus, Polaris, and Betelgeuse, as supergiant stars, share several common characteristics on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. These stars are highly luminous, up to 10,000 times more so than our Sun, signifying they emit a tremendous amount of light and energy. Additionally, supergiant stars have significantly larger diameters in comparison to the Sun, and in the case of Betelgeuse, its diameter can be larger than 10 AU—enough to encompass the entire inner solar system up to Jupiter. These stars all exhibit a cooler, red color due to their lower surface temperature, but that does not prevent them from being extremely bright due to their large size. Thus, on the H-R diagram, supergiants like Canopus, Polaris, and Betelgeuse are found in the upper right corner, reflecting their cool surface temperatures and high luminosities.

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User Cargath
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