25.1.13

stellar classifictaion

Seeing as Oli and I need to categorise objects in space we have assigned to certain areas of research. I've got stars & oli will be researching planets within our solar system.

In astronomy, stellar classification categorises stars in terms of their spectral characteristics. This allows for a measurement of it's photosphere's temperature (atomic excitation most prominant in light - ionization in it's photosphere)

Stars are mainly classified using the letters O, B, A, F, G, K, & M. This is often remembered using the mnemonic "Oh Be A Fine Girl Kiss Me" or "Oh Boy An F Grade Kills Me"

Traditionally these are what the stars are called:
O - blue
B - blue / white
A - white
F - white / yellow
G - yellow
K - orange
M - red

In addition, the Morgan-Keenan system adds another measurement that represents the range between two star categories using the numbers 0-9. Each unit represents a tenth eg A2 would be 2 tenths between A0 & F0. Lower numbered stars in the catagory are brighter.

Furthermore, using the Morgan-Keenan system, numerical values which portray the absorption lines of a star. This is therefore a general measure of the size of the star, and the total luminosity output.

Star classes:
i - supergiants
ii - bright giants
iii - giants
iv - subgiants
v - dwarfs / main sequence

Our sun, for example, is classified as G2V which would mean it's a yellow 2 tenths towards orange main sequence star.


Using this stellar classification as catagories will allow us to explore and apply unique print processes and finishes onto the prints.....


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