With the exception of a few supernova remnants which are in our galaxy, most cosmic radio sources are “radio galaxies”. Although flare stars do emit radio waves occasionally, no ordinary stars with strong, steady radio emission have been found. The typical optical power of stars is from 1030 ergs/sec (white dwarfs) to 1038 ergs/sec (super giants). For comparison, the optical power of the sun is 4×1033 ergs/sec. The typical radio power of supernova remnants is around 1036 ergs/sec. For a giant galaxy (containing approximately 1011−1012 stars with a total mass of around 1011⊙, where ⊙ = solar mass = 2×1033 g⁠), the optical power is around 1044 ergs/sec. Radio emission from normal galaxies is generally weaker, the power ranging from 1037−1039 ergs/sec. For certain peculiar galaxies, the so‐called “radio galaxies,” the radio emission rate ranges from 1041−1044.5 ergs/sec.

Topics
Radiowaves, Cosmic radio sources, Degenerate stars, Flare stars, Galaxies, Solar mass, Supernovae, Gravitational collapse
© 1964 American Institute of Physics.
1964
American Institute of Physics
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