In astronomy, stellar classification is the classification of stars based on their spectral characteristics. Electromagnetic radiation from the star is analyzed by splitting it with a prism or diffraction grating into a spectrum exhibiting the rainbow of colors interspersed with spectral lines.

Jan 10, 2025 · Stellar classification, scheme for assigning stars to types according to their temperatures as estimated from their spectra. The generally accepted system of stellar classification is a combination of two classification schemes: the Harvard system, which is based on the star’s surface temperature,

Jan 17, 2025 · Star - Spectral Types, Classification, Astronomy: Most stars are grouped into a small number of spectral types. The Henry Draper Catalogue and the Bright Star Catalogue list spectral types from the hottest to the coolest stars (see stellar classification).

Each spectral type is divided into 10 subclasses, A0, A1, A2, ...A9 etc. The spectral types and sub-classes represent a temperature sequence, from hotter (O stars) to cooler (M stars), and from hotter (subclass 0) to cooler (subclass 9).

Aug 1, 2006 · Appended to the basic spectral type may be letters for chemical peculiarities, an extended atmosphere, unusual surface activity, fast rotation, or other special characteristics. Every starwatcher needs to have a feel for spectral types.

Spectra are described by Kirchoff's Laws: A hot opaque body, such as a hot, dense gas (or a solid) produces a continuous spectrum – a complete rainbow of colors. A hot, transparent gas produces an emission line spectrum – a series of bright spectral lines against a dark background.

Spectral characteristics offer a way to classify stars which gives information about temperature in a different way - particular absorption lines can be observed only for a certain range of …

Dec 14, 2023 · Each spectral type is then divided into subclasses, represented by numbers from 0 to 9, allowing for a more precise categorization of stars. The spectral atlas, which is a compilation of spectral types, provides a visual representation of the different spectral features and characteristics of stars.

Most light sources can be classified into three main types: continuous, absorption, and emission. A hot, opaque object, like the filament in an incandescent light bulb, emits a continuous spectrum, having light of all wavelengths. A hot, dense gas is another example of an object that emits a continuous spectrum.

The stellar type system is a purely empirical classification scheme that simultaneously describes both a star's photospheric temperature and luminosity in terms of the spectral characteristics of a handful of prototypical stars.