The Classification of Stars

Carlos Jaschek (Author), Mercedes Jaschek (Author)

9780521389969, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 July 1990

432 pages
23.5 x 19.1 x 2.2 cm, 0.74 kg

"An excellent introduction to how astronomers are able to do stellar astronomy. The book is very well written and the diagrams and references make it a volume that will be referred to frequently by everyone interested in the problems of stellar classification." Choice

The classification of stars into their various types is one of the fundamental areas of astronomy. This book is a comprehensive handbook on the tools, methods and results of stellar taxonomy. Although this subject is firmly rooted in classical astronomy, vast improvements in observational techniques have transformed the subject and greatly broadened the wavelength regions available for study. The first six chapters describe modern methods of spectroscopic and photometric classification. The remaining nine chapters describe particular families of stars, progressing from the hottest to the coolest. Within each category a description is given of the normal type and all the peculiar stars. Throughout the emphasis is on the phenomenology of classification, rather than the underlying astrophysics. Both authors have devoted themselves to developing the international centre for stellar data at Strasbourg, which uniquely qualifies them to write this definitive handbook for professional astronomers.

Preface
Part I: 1. Stellar taxonomy
2. Spectral classification
3. Spectral classification systems
4. Photometric classification
5. Photometric systems
6. Comparison of classification methods
Part II: 7. Introduction
8. O-type stars
9. B-type stars
10. A-type stars
11. F-type stars
12. G-type stars
13. K-type stars
14. M-type stars
15. Degenerates
16. Further developments.

Subject Areas: Galaxies & stars [PGM]