Where Can I Compare Star Spectra?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the spectral types of two stars based on processed spectra provided by the original poster. Participants are exploring resources for comparison and classification within the context of stellar spectroscopy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster seeks a database to compare star spectra and has provided links to their processed spectra.
  • One participant notes that the first spectrum shows rising flux peaks at certain wavelengths, suggesting emission features, while the second spectrum exhibits dips in flux, indicating absorption features.
  • The original poster speculates that the first star may be a class M star based on the position of the maximum in the spectrum but is uncertain about its subtype.
  • Another participant suggests that the first star may have strong emission lines, possibly indicating it is a Wolf-Rayet star or a binary, while the second star appears to be an A or B type star based on visual assessment.
  • Questions are raised regarding whether the spectra are corrected for instrumental response and their resolution for accurate spectral classification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the classification of the stars, with no consensus reached on their exact spectral types or the reliability of the provided spectra for classification purposes.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the resolution of the spectra and whether they have been corrected for instrumental response, which may affect the classification accuracy.

Frank Einstein
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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.
 
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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:

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