Stellar Spectral Classification

by Gray, Richard O.; Corbally, Christopher J.; Burgasser, Adam J. (CON); Hanson, Margaret M. (CON); Kirkpatrick, J. Davy (CON)

• ISBN13: 9780691125114
• ISBN10: 0691125112
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-09
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr

Summary

Written by leading experts in the field,Stellar Spectral Classificationis the only book to comprehensively discuss both the foundations and most up-to-date techniques of MK and other spectral classification systems. Definitive and encyclopedic, the book introduces the astrophysics of spectroscopy, reviews the entire field of stellar astronomy, and shows how the well-tested methods of spectral classification are a powerful discovery tool for graduate students and researchers working in astronomy and astrophysics.The book begins with a historical survey, followed by chapters discussing the entire range of stellar phenomena, from brown dwarfs to supernovae. The authors account for advances in the field, including the addition of the L and T dwarf classes; the revision of the carbon star, Wolf-Rayet, and white dwarf classification schemes; and the application of neural nets to spectral classification. Copious figures illustrate the morphology of stellar spectra, and the book incorporates recent discoveries from earth-based and satellite data. Many examples of spectra are given in the red, ultraviolet, and infrared regions, as well as in the traditional blue-violet optical region, all of which are useful for researchers identifying stellar and galactic spectra. This essential reference includes a glossary, handy appendixes and tables, an index, and a Web-based resource of spectra.In addition to the authors, the contributors are Adam J. Burgasser, Margaret M. Hanson, J. Davy Kirkpatrick, and Nolan R. Walborn.

Author Biography

Richard O. Gray is professor of astronomy at Appalachian State University. Christopher J. Corbally, SJ, is a vice director of the Vatican Observatory and adjunct associate professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Important Note on Terminology and Units	p. xv
The History and Philosophy of Stellar Spectral Classification	p. 1
Early History	p. 1
Later Developments	p. 10
The MK Process	p. 17
An Overview of the Normal Stars	p. 32
Introduction	p. 32
The Spectral Sequence	p. 32
Multicolor Photometry and Stellar Classification	p. 44
Physical Principles Underlying the MK Sequence	p. 50
The OB Stars-Nolan R. Walborn	p. 66
Introduction	p. 66
The Optical	p. 66
The Ultraviolet	p. 75
The Infrared-Margaret M. Hanson	p. 81
Peculiar Categories	p. 89
X-Ray Line Spectra	p. 102
Calibration and Astrophysical Modeling	p. 105
The B-type Stars	p. 115
Introduction	p. 115
Optical Classification	p. 115
The Ultraviolet	p. 120
Chemically Peculiar B-type Stars	p. 123
Be Stars and B Shell Stars	p. 135
Other B-type Emission-line Stars	p. 143
B-type Stars in Advanced Evolutionary States	p. 147
The A-type Stars	p. 160
Introduction	p. 160
Optical Spectral-type Criteria	p. 160
Ultraviolet and Infrared Classification Schemes	p. 169
Chemically Peculiar Stars	p. 176
Herbig Ae/Be Stars	p. 200
A-type Stars in Advanced Evolutionary Stages	p. 207
A-type Shell Stars	p. 213
The F-type Stars	p. 221
Introduction	p. 221
Optical Classification	p. 221
Classification in the Ultraviolet and Infrared	p. 227
Population II F-type Stars	p. 236
Chemically Peculiar F-type Stars	p. 244
F-type Stars in Advanced Evolutionary Stages	p. 249
The G- and K-type Stars	p. 259
Introduction	p. 259
Optical Classification	p. 259
The Infrared	p. 265
The Search for a Solar Twin; Chromospheric Activity	p. 270
T Tauri Stars	p. 275
Chemically Peculiar G- and K-giants	p. 278
Population II and III Stars	p. 281
The High Luminosity, Yellow Variables	p. 283
The M-type, S-type, and Carbon Stars	p. 293
Introduction	p. 293
The M-type Stars	p. 293
The Carbon Stars	p. 306
The S-type Stars	p. 321
Symbiotic and Algol Stars	p. 331
M Dwarfs and L Dwarfs-J. Davy Kirkpatrick	p. 339
Introduction	p. 339
The Discovery of M Dwarfs and L Dwarfs	p. 339
Spectroscopic Classification	p. 341
Physical Interpretation of Types	p. 362
Peculiar Objects	p. 372
The T-type Dwarfs-Adam J. Burgasser	p. 388
Introduction	p. 388
Recognition of the T Dwarf Class and Early Discoveries	p. 389
T Dwarf Spectral Characteristics	p. 391
Near-Infrared Classification	p. 396
Optical Classification	p. 417
Mid-Infrared Classification	p. 425
Additional Considerations for T-Dwarf Classification	p. 428
Beyond the T Dwarfs	p. 434
Wolf-Rayet Stars and the Luminous Blue Variables	p. 441
The Wolf-Rayet Stars	p. 441
Luminous Blue Variables	p. 465
Evolutionary Connections	p. 468
Endpoints of Stellar Evolution	p. 472
Proto-Planetary Nebulae and Planetary Nebula Nucleus Stars	p. 472
White Dwarf Stars	p. 472
Novae	p. 482
Supernovae	p. 497
Further Techniques	p. 507
Introduction	p. 507
Composite Spectra	p. 507
Classification Systems in the Thermal Infrared	p. 515
Other Classification Systems	p. 522
Automated Methods of Spectral Classification	p. 525
Low Dispersion Techniques and Natural Groups	p. 529
Glossary	p. 541
MK Standard Stars	p. 555
Calibrations of the MK System	p. 565
The Book Website	p. 571
	p. 573
	p. 585
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