Abstract
It is shown that a large scatter exists in all color-color and color-spectral type diagrams. This scatter can not be neglected and its importance is shown in several examples. A new approach is then developed for the study of the precision attainable in spectral classification. It is found that for A-type stars MK classification is about as accurate as photometry, whereas for B-type dwarfs photometry is at least two times more precise than MK classification. A precision of ±0.6 tenths of a spectral class seems attainable in both groups.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Becker, W.: 1966, Z. Astrophys. 64. 77.
Blanco, V., Demers, S., Douglass, G. G., and Fitzgerald, M. P.: 1968, Publ. U.S. Naval Obs., 2nd Ser. XXI.
Cowley, A., Cowley, C., Jaschek, M., and Jaschek, C.: 1969, Astron. J. 74, 375.
Crawford, D. L., Barnes, J. V., Faure, B. Q., Golson, J. C., and Perry, C. L.: 1966, Astron. J. 71, 709.
Crawford, D. L., Barnes, J. V., and Golson, J. C.: 1970, Astron. J. 75, 624.
Deeming, T. J.: 1968, Vistas in Astronomy 10, 125.
Gliese, W.: 1971, Veröffentl. Astron. Rechen-Inst. Heidelberg, No. 24.
Henry, R. C.: 1969, Astrophys. J. Suppl. 18, 47.
Henry, R. C.: 1971, Astrophys. J. Suppl. (in press).
Hiltner, W. A.: 1956, Astrophys. J. Suppl. 2, 389.
Hiltner, W. A., Garrison, R. F., and Schild, R. C.: 1969, Astrophys. J. 157, 313.
Jaschek, C. and Jaschek, M.: 1966, in K. Lodén, L. O. Lodén, and U. Sinnerstad (eds.), ‘Spectral Classification and Multicolor Photometry’, IAU Symp. 24, 6.
Johnson, H. L., Mitchell, R. I., Iriarte, B., and Wisniewski, W. Z.: 1966, Commun. Lunar Planetary Lab., No. 63.
Johnson, H. L.: 1966, Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 4, 193.
Kendall, M. G. and Stuart, A.: 1967, The Advanced Theory of Statistics II, Charles Griffin and Co., London.
Slettebak, A.: 1954, Astrophys. J. 119, 146.
Slettebak, A.: 1955, Astrophys. J. 121, 102.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1973 IAU
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Jaschek, C., Jaschek, M. (1973). On the Precision of the MK Spectral Classification System. In: Fehrenbach, C., Westerlund, B.E. (eds) Spectral Classification and Multicolour Photometry. International Astronomical Union / Union Astronomique Internationale, vol 50. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2627-7_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2627-7_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-2629-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-010-2627-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive