An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

According to the → von Zeipel theorem, the emergent flux, F, of total radiation at any point over the surface of a rotationally or tidally distorted star in → hydrostatic equilibrium
varies proportionally to the local gravity acceleration:
F ∝ g_eff^α, where g_eff is the → effective gravity and α is the gravity darkening coefficient. See also the → gravity darkening exponent.

See also: → gravity; → darkening; → coefficient.