Automating the Classification of Stellar Spectra

Extract

We are automating the multi-parameter classification of stellar spectra within the MK system. The increased rate at which spectra are gathered by increasingly larger telescopes, fibre systems and efficient CCD detectors necessitates the need for automation of stellar classification. As well as greatly speeding up this process, an automated scheme would give reproducible results, would arguably be more objective, and would give quick and useful reporting of classification uncertainties.