A mathematical function that describes the spectral energy distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a perfect blackbody at a given temperature. This function is fundamental to understanding stellar spectra and thermal radiation throughout the universe.
Named after German physicist Max Planck, who derived this function in 1900 while solving the blackbody radiation problem. His work introduced the quantum concept and earned him the Nobel Prize, marking the birth of quantum mechanics.
The Planck function is like a universal recipe for how hot objects glow! Whether it's a star, a campfire, or your toaster, anything with a temperature follows Planck's curve - it tells us exactly how much light to expect at each color, which is why astronomers can measure a star's temperature just by looking at its rainbow.
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