Glossary
Harvard Stellar Spectral Classification


Stars of different temperatures (which is a function of mass, age etc) emit different spectra. The historic "Harvard Classification Scheme" is still used to describe these differences. Here is the basic scheme:
Spect
Type
Spectrum Color Temp
(K)
O ionized + neutral He, some H bluish >31x103
B neutral He, stronger H blue-white 9.8 to 31x103
A strong H, ionized metals white 7.1 to 9.8x103
F less H, ionized metals yellowish white 6.0 to 7.1x103
G weak H, ionized + neutral metals yellowish 5.3 to 6.0x103
K v weak H, neutral metals orange 4.0 to 5.3x103
M none (v.v.weak) H, neutral metals, molecules reddish 2.0 to 4.0x103
L no H, metallic hydrides, alkalai metals red-infrared 1.5 to 2.0x103
T methane bands infrared < 103
There are many sub-classification schemes used to denote even more subtle variations (eg The Sun is a G2 star). However the details of the classification scheme & definitions are beyond the scope of the course.