Stellar classification (astrophysics): Difference between revisions
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imported>Thomas Simmons (New page: Stars are classed by various properties. A common classification is surface temperature. Beginning with early spectral schema in the 19th century ranking stars from A to P, the spectral cl...) |
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==Classification system== | ==Classification system== | ||
The stars are ranked from hottest to coldest: | The stars are ranked from hottest to coldest: | ||
Class | |||
Class Temperature Star colour | |||
*O 30,000-60,000 °K Blue | *O 30,000-60,000 °K Blue | ||
*B 10,000-30,000 °K Blue | *B 10,000-30,000 °K Blue | ||
Revision as of 22:49, 22 October 2007
Stars are classed by various properties. A common classification is surface temperature. Beginning with early spectral schema in the 19th century ranking stars from A to P, the spectral classification, called “Morgan-Keenan spectral classification” [1] now ranks stars in seven main types: A, B, A, F, G, K, M.[2] Each spectral classification is further divided into tenths. Our sun, Sol is a G2.
Classification system
The stars are ranked from hottest to coldest:
Class Temperature Star colour
- O 30,000-60,000 °K Blue
- B 10,000-30,000 °K Blue
- A 7,500-10,000 °K White
- F 6,000-7,500 °K White (yellowish)
- G 5,000-6,000 °K Yellow (e.g. Earth’s sun)
- K 3,500-5,000 °K Orange
- M 2,000-3,5000 °K Red
References
- ↑ Note: based on the work of Annie Cannon and other astronomers from the Harvard College Observatory
- ↑ A popular mnemonic for this is Oh Be A Fine Girl, Kiss Me
- ↑ Star classification