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Article
Three-Dimensional Spectral Classification of Low-Metallicity Stars Using Artificial Neural Networks
The Astrophysical Journal
  • Shawn Snider, University of Texas at Austin
  • Ted von Hippel, Gemini Observatory, Hilo HI
  • et al.
Submitting Campus
Daytona Beach
Department
Physical Sciences
Document Type
Article
Publication/Presentation Date
11-20-2001
Abstract/Description

We explore the application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the estimation of atmospheric parameters (Teff, log g, and [Fe/H]) for Galactic F- and G-type stars. The ANNs are fed with medium-resolution (Δλ ~ 1-2 Å) non-flux-calibrated spectroscopic observations. From a sample of 279 stars with previous high-resolution determinations of metallicity and a set of (external) estimates of temperature and surface gravity, our ANNs are able to predict Teff with an accuracy of σ(Teff) = 135-150 K over the range 4250 ≤ Teff ≤ 6500 K, log g with an accuracy of σ(log g) = 0.25-0.30 dex over the range 1.0 ≤ log g ≤ 5.0 dex, and [Fe/H] with an accuracy σ([Fe/H]) = 0.15-0.20 dex over the range -4.0 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ 0.3. Such accuracies are competitive with the results obtained by fine analysis of high-resolution spectra. It is noteworthy that the ANNs are able to obtain these results without consideration of photometric information for these stars. We have also explored the impact of the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) on the behavior of ANNs and conclude that, when analyzed with ANNs trained on spectra of commensurate S/N, it is possible to extract physical parameter estimates of similar accuracy with stellar spectra having S/N as low as 13. Taken together, these results indicate that the ANN approach should be of primary importance for use in present and future large-scale spectroscopic surveys.

Publisher
Institute of Physics Publishing, Inc.
Additional Information

Dr. von Hippel was not affiliated with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the time this paper was published.

Citation Information
Shawn Snider, Ted von Hippel and et al.. "Three-Dimensional Spectral Classification of Low-Metallicity Stars Using Artificial Neural Networks" The Astrophysical Journal Vol. 562 Iss. 1 (2001) p. 528 - 548
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ted-vonhippel/101/