Stellar Spectral Classification: I. Application of Component Analysis

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Abstract
The statistical technique of component analysis is investigated as a possible technique for the formulation of classification parameters from spectrophoto-metric measurements on stellar spectra. A specific case of the late-type giants is discussed as an example, and classification parameters, produced by this method, are given for 84 G and K giants (class III). The technique is attractive in not only giving the formulation of the parameters, but also indicating how many parameters are necessary to describe the sample of stars. Some extensions of the standard component analysis technique are discussed, particularly with regard to the analysis of non-linear correlations and the treatment of incomplete data. Finally, the relation between this method and the more direct method of determination of transformations between a set of measurements and a standard classification system is discussed. Extension of the component analysis method to other astronomical fields is strongly indicated.

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