Hess diagram

Not to be confused with Hasse diagram.
Hess diagram with data from SDSS b>80 degree

A Hess diagram plots the relative density of occurrence of stars at differing color–magnitude positions of the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram for a given galaxy or resolved stellar population. The diagram is named after R. Hess who originated it in 1924.[1] Its use dates back to at least 1948.[2]

Hess diagrams are widely used in the study of discrete resolved stellar systems in and around the Milky Way - specifically, in the analysis of globular clusters, satellite galaxies, and stellar streams.

  1. ^ R. Hess (Heß) (1924). "Die Verteilungsfunktion der absoluten Helligkeiten in ihrer Abhängigkeit vom Spektrum". Probleme der Astronomie. Festschrift fur Hugo v. Seeliger. Springer, Berlin. p. 265.
  2. ^ Gaposchkin, Cecilia Payne (1948). "The connection of motion with intrinsic variability". Astronomical Journal. 53: 193. Bibcode:1948AJ.....53..193G. doi:10.1086/106093.