Harvard spectral classification of stars

E134309

The Harvard spectral classification of stars is an early 20th-century system that categorizes stars by their spectral characteristics and surface temperatures into types O, B, A, F, G, K, and M, forming the basis of modern stellar classification.

All labels observed (11)

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Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf astronomical classification scheme
stellar classification system
alsoKnownAs Harvard system of stellar classification
basedOn stellar spectra
stellar surface temperature
basisFor spectral classification of the Sun as type G2
classificationDimension spectral type only
dataSource photographic stellar spectra
developedAt Harvard College Observatory
developedBy Annie Jump Cannon
Antonia Maury
Edward C. Pickering
Williamina Fleming
developedInPeriod early 20th century
emphasizes hydrogen absorption line strengths in early types
metal and molecular bands in later types
field astronomy
astrophysics
influenced Morgan–Keenan spectral classification
modern stellar classification
institutionalProject Henry Draper Catalogue
introduced one-dimensional temperature-based sequence for stars
notableMnemonic Oh Be A Fine Girl/Guy, Kiss Me
orderingCriterion decreasing surface temperature
predecessorOf Morgan–Keenan luminosity class system
primaryCriterion strength of absorption lines in stellar spectra
refinedFrom Draper system of stellar classification
replacedEarlierSystems alphabetical Draper letter sequence
spectralTypeA hot, white stars
spectralTypeB very hot, blue-white stars
spectralTypeF yellow-white stars
spectralTypeG yellow stars like the Sun
spectralTypeK orange stars
spectralTypeM cool, red stars
spectralTypeO hottest, blue stars
spectralTypeSequence O–B–A–F–G–K–M
standardizedIn Henry Draper Catalogue
temperatureRange from hottest stars (type O) to coolest stars (type M)
usedFor classification of giant stars
classification of main-sequence stars
classification of supergiant stars
usesSpectralTypes A
B
F
G
K
M
O

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Referenced by (12)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Edward Charles Pickering notableWork Harvard spectral classification of stars
Edward Charles Pickering notableWork Pickering–Fleming system of stellar classification
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Hertzsprung–Russell diagram relatedTo Morgan–Keenan classification
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Harvard College Observatory notableWork Harvard spectral classification system
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Harvard spectral classification alsoKnownAs Harvard system of stellar classification
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Harvard spectral classification refinedFrom Draper system of stellar classification
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Harvard spectral classification influenced Morgan–Keenan spectral classification
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Harvard spectral classification predecessorOf Morgan–Keenan luminosity class system
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Henry Draper Catalogue uses Harvard spectral classification system
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Henry Draper Catalogue influenced Yerkes spectral classification
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Henry Draper Catalogue influenced Morgan–Keenan (MK) classification system
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars
Antonia Maury notableWork Maury stellar spectral classification system
linked to: Harvard spectral classification of stars