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Limitations of Stellar Abundance Determinations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2016

B. Baschek
B. Baschek*
Affiliation:
Institut für Theoretische Astrophysik Im Neuenheimer Feld 561 D-6900 Heidelberg Germany

Abstract

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The information content of (photospheric) stellar spectra and the accuracy of abundance determinations are discussed. Besides the physical properties of the line spectra, the spectral resolution, the signal-to-noise ratio, but also the incompleteness of the knowledge of the contributing blends limit the abundance information. For a perfect model atmosphere the main factors determining the accuracy of the abundances are S/N, the line saturation, and the location of the continuum (or, in a synthetic spectrum, the background of numerous lines). In addition systematic errors introduced by missing atomic data and an imperfect model atmosphere (non-LTE, line blanketing, hydrodynamics) are important. The typical accuracy of abundance determinations is discussed for main sequence stars for which the most reliable data are available, and for a few selected other stellar types.

Type
Setting the Stage
Information
Symposium - International Astronomical Union , Volume 145: Evolution of Stars: The Photospheric Abundance Connection , 1991 , pp. 39 - 47
Copyright
Copyright © Kluwer 1991 

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