On the Precision of the MK Spectral Classification System
- 1 January 1973
- journal article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Symposium - International Astronomical Union
- Vol. 50, 43-51
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0074180900099046
Abstract
It is shown that a large scatter exists in all color-color and color-spectral type diagrams. This scatter can not be neglected and its importance is shown in several examples. A new approach is then developed for the study of the precision attainable in spectral classification. It is found that for A-type stars MK classification is about as accurate as photometry, whereas for B-type dwarfs photometry is at least two times more precise than MK classification. A precision of ±0.6 tenths of a spectral class seems attainable in both groups.Keywords
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