5 ms·
The actual question: Of the stars that can be seen with the naked eye, what are the distributions of each type? For example, how many are main sequence? how ma
by DoreenMichele 4y ago
The actual question:
Of the stars that can be seen with the naked eye, what are the distributions of each type? For example, how many are main sequence? how many are Super Red giants/white dwarfs/neutron stars...etc. What's the distribution by mass and distance?
Posting it here because that's not what I thought was meant by demographics.
- detrites 4y agoI've tried but cannot come up with another way to interpret it. Do you actually have one?
- mc32 4y agoCan’t they use ‘characteristics’?
- kupopuffs 4y agoGraphs of (quantitative) Qualities? Relationships? A thesaurus? A metaphor? Your imagination?
- Rexxar 4y agoThe question is not what other terms they could have used but how you could interpret differently the chosen expression (which is perfectly unambiguous to me)
- DoreenMichele 4y agohttps://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35118130 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35118130
- _a_a_a_ 4y ago-> What are the types (or categories) of stars visible to the naked eye?
- layer8 4y agoNumber and size of alien civilizations around those stars. ;)
- throwbadubadu 4y agoBut what did you expect?
- DoreenMichele 4y agoI thought it might be a question about light pollution. Like "Given the spread of light pollution, how many people can still see the stars and where are they?" Something like that.
- throwbadubadu 4y agoOh, interesting... thanks!
- detrites 4y agoRight, that makes sense - thanks for explaining.
- chongli 4y agoDemographics implies a study about people. The word comes from Greek: “demos” meaning “ordinary citizens or common people” and “graphia” meaning “writing, drawing, description.” None of this relates whatsoever to populations of stars, which would more aptly be described as having a distribution. So a better way to write the title would’ve been: “What is the distribution of stars visible to the naked eye?”
- throwbadubadu 4y agoDon't need to explain me what demographics means, but even after studying your exlanation in detail I think it 100% fits what can be understood as star demographics, transferring your explanation of a "study about stars".. maybe it is because I have read too many things in this area but "What is the distribution of stars visible" feels off, and I also find the nit picking on how to do titles right off. Anyway, the question was, to understand the other side better: What did you expect? (Not please explain me demographics in its original meaning :( ) Btw, "population of stars" is what it is exactly about and the term since almost a century: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_population https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_population
- dotancohen 4y agoThank you. Perhaps the term "Astrographics" would have been more fitting. This is _exactly_ how words are coined.
- layer8 4y agoWe talk about “populations” of stars, so “demographics” isn’t entirely inappropriate. I agree the title is still a bit confusing.
- sinuhe69 4y agoYeah, as a non-native speaker, I was a bit confused about “demographics” as well. What did I expect? Nothing. It’s only felt “off” with stars and demographics. A “characteristics” or distribution on the other hand would click immediately. (If we have to nitpick about the title ;) )
- junofan 4y agoDemographics means distribution of population characteristics. Made sense to me as a native speaker.