Andromeda galaxy stellar luminosity
Andromeda galaxy stellar luminosity is the total power emitted as starlight by all the stars in the Andromeda galaxy.
Also known as: M31 stellar luminosity, Andromeda luminosity
How big is it?
1 × 10²⁵ TW · representative stellar luminosity
Representative stellar luminosity · representative
Typical recorded range: 5 × 10²⁴ TW to 2 × 10²⁵ TW.
A little perspective
Andromeda galaxy stellar luminosity vs Crab pulsar spin-down power: power comparison
The stellar luminosity of the Andromeda galaxy is about 217,000 times the spin-down power of the Crab Pulsar.
ENERGY EACH SECOND
Andromeda galaxy stellar luminosity is the total power emitted as starlight by all the stars in the Andromeda galaxy.
Crab pulsar spin-down power is the rate at which the Crab pulsar loses rotational energy, emitting it as radiation and particles.
Too small to see at this scale; the bar has not been widened.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Andromeda galaxy stellar luminosity
Representative stellar luminosity: 1 × 10²⁵ TW; representative; range 5 × 10²⁴ TW–2 × 10²⁵ TW.
A representative 10^37 W total stellar-luminosity scale for the Andromeda galaxy. Estimates depend on wavelength, dust correction, stellar-population model and the adopted outer boundary; this is emitted starlight, not flux received at Earth.
NASA — Andromeda galaxy overview
The marked representative stellar luminosity is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Crab pulsar spin-down power
Spin-down power: 4.6 × 10¹⁹ TW; derived estimate.
The Crab pulsar's rotational energy-loss rate is inferred from its spin-down using a canonical neutron-star moment of inertia; the quoted value is a rounded literature estimate, not its bolometric output.
A timing-derived rotational energy-loss estimate using a canonical neutron-star moment of inertia; it is not the pulsar's directly measured total emitted luminosity.
Fermi-LAT Collaboration — Fermi-LAT observations of the Crab nebula and pulsar
The marked spin-down power is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1 × 10²⁵ TW
We compare the stellar luminosity of the Andromeda galaxy. This is a representative comparison value; individual specimens or conditions can vary. The recorded range is 5 × 10²⁴ TW to 2 × 10²⁵ TW.
A representative 10^37 W total stellar-luminosity scale for the Andromeda galaxy. Estimates depend on wavelength, dust correction, stellar-population model and the adopted outer boundary; this is emitted starlight, not flux received at Earth.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 10²⁵ TW | 5 × 10²⁴ TW to 2 × 10²⁵ TW | representative |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- NASA — Andromeda galaxy overviewM31 stellar-population and galaxy context; total stellar luminosity depends on wavelength, dust correction and boundary model.
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