Abstract
The distribution function of the bias in the absolute magnitude of a star, as determined from its trigonometric parallax, is calculated for the case where the error dispersion is imperfectly known. A general power law is assumed for the spatial distribution of stars. The distribution function is used to calculate most probable and mean bias corrections as well as confidence intervals for the correction, the latter providing an indication of the intrinsic accuracy of the Lutz–Kelker correction. The basic method may be used for bias correction in other situations also.

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