Undergrad Where Can I Compare Star Spectra?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Frank Einstein
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spectra
Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around finding a database to compare star spectra after processing two specific spectra. One participant notes that the first spectrum shows rising flux peaks, suggesting strong emissions, while the second spectrum exhibits dips, indicating absorption by intervening media. Suggestions for resources include a website focused on spectral classification and using Google Images for star spectra. There is a mention of the Harvard classification system, with one star possibly being a class M, while the second is speculated to be an A or B star. The conversation highlights the need for high-resolution spectra for accurate classification.
Frank Einstein
Messages
166
Reaction score
1
Hi everibody.

I have been tasked with finding out the spectral tipe of two stars; for that, I have processed the spectres. You can find them in the links.

http://postimg.org/image/5a6w2pbf5/

http://postimg.org/image/71iehdz4h/

Now, I am a little lost, I am clueless about where to look for a database where I can compare these spectres with.

Can someone please tell me where I can find one?

Thanks for reading.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Frank Einstein said:
Hi everibody.

I have been tasked with finding out the spectral tipe of two stars; for that, I have processed the spectres. You can find them in the links.

http://postimg.org/image/5a6w2pbf5/

http://postimg.org/image/71iehdz4h/

Now, I am a little lost, I am clueless about where to look for a database where I can compare these spectres with.

Can someone please tell me where I can find one?

Thanks for reading.

pl. clear the question/frame it according to your need- if you are only interested in knowing the type/variety of the spectra then;

what i observed in the two spectra quoted /given as attachment -

in one the flux peaks are rising at certain wavelengths -
those peaks must be designating the flux rising for those wavelengths- suppose some stars are emitting those wavelengths prominently - then such graphs will be observed.

whereas in the other one reverse features are being seen - common sense tells us that at some wavelengths the flux is dipping becoming smaller ,those characteristic wavelengths can not be emitted , but must be absorbed by some intervening media.
perhaps now you can tell what are the types(names) of these two spectra.
 
What I want to know is their position in the Hardvard classification, for example, I think the first star is a class M, because of the position of the maxim; but I don't know which is it's subtype (I, II, III...).

For the second star I am completely lost.
 
You could have a look at this http://www3.gettysburg.edu/~marschal/clea/speclab.html it seems to be about what you are trying to do.

You first "star" has strong emission lines which would make me look at unusual stars WR Stars, binaries etc, the second looks like a A or B star just from eye balling it.
If you use Google images you can see lots of star spectra.

Where these spectra corrected for instrumental response?
Also I doubt they have high enough resolution for anything but a an approximate assignment of spectral class.

Regards Andrew
 
Last edited:
UC Berkely, December 16, 2025 https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/12/16/whats-powering-these-mysterious-bright-blue-cosmic-flashes-astronomers-find-a-clue/ AT 2024wpp, a luminous fast blue optical transient, or LFBOT, is the bright blue spot at the upper right edge of its host galaxy, which is 1.1 billion light-years from Earth in (or near) a galaxy far, far away. Such objects are very bright (obiously) and very energetic. The article indicates that AT 2024wpp had a peak luminosity of 2-4 x...

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
6K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K