Brightness vs. Temperature

Brightness and temperature are related but different concepts in understanding light sources. Brightness refers to how much light an object emits or appears to emit, making it seem luminous to our eyes—think of a brightly lit streetlamp versus a dim candle. Temperature, in this context, describes the heat or thermal energy of an object, which also influences the color of its emitted light; hotter objects tend to emit bluer, more energetic light, while cooler objects emit redder, less energetic light. Both factors help scientists analyze stars and other celestial objects to understand their properties.