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Article
The Power of Principled Bayesian Methods in the Study of Stellar Evolution
EAS Publications Series
  • Ted von Hippel, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • David van Dyk, Imperial College London
  • David Stenning, University of California
  • Elliot Robinson, Argiope Technical Solutions
  • Elizabeth Jeffery, James Madison University
  • Nathan Stein, University of Pennsylvania
  • William Jefferys, University of Texas
  • Erin M. O'Malley, Siena College; Dartmouth College
Submitting Campus
Daytona Beach
Department
Physical Sciences
Document Type
Article
Publication/Presentation Date
11-14-2014
Abstract/Description

It takes years of effort employing the best telescopes and in- struments to obtain high-quality stellar photometry, astrometry, and spectroscopy. Stellar evolution models contain the experience of life- times of theoretical calculations and testing. Yet most astronomers fit these valuable models to these precious datasets by eye. We show that a principled Bayesian approach to fitting models to stellar data yields substantially more information over a range of stellar astrophysics. We highlight advances in determining the ages of star clusters, mass ratios of binary stars, limitations in the accuracy of stellar models, post-main-sequence mass loss, and the ages of individual white dwarfs. We also outline a number of unsolved problems that would benefit from principled Bayesian analyses.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/eas/1465007
Publisher
EDP Science
Citation Information
Ted von Hippel, David van Dyk, David Stenning, Elliot Robinson, et al.. "The Power of Principled Bayesian Methods in the Study of Stellar Evolution" EAS Publications Series Vol. 65 (2014) p. 267 - 287
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ted-vonhippel/111/