Helen J. Walker

Classification of 2.4-45.2 Micron Spectra from the Infrared Space Observatory Short Wavelength Spectrometer*

The Infrared Space Observatory observed over 900 objects with the Short Wavelength Spectrometer in full-grating-scan mode (2.4-45.2 micron). We have developed a comprehensive system of spectral classification using these data. Sources are assigned to groups based on the overall shape of the spectral energy distribution (SED). The groups include naked stars, dusty stars, warm dust shells, cool dust shells, very red sources, and sources with emission lines but no detected continuum. These groups are further divided into subgroups based on spectral features that shape the SED such as silicate or carbon-rich dust emission, silicate absorption, ice absorption, and fine-structure or recombination lines. Caveats regarding the data and data reduction, and biases intrinsic to the database, are discussed. We also examine how the subgroups relate to the evolution of sources to and from the main sequence and how this classification scheme relates to previous systems.

Classification of 2.4-45.2 Micron Spectra from the ISO Short Wavelength Spectrometer

The Infrared Space Observatory observed over 900 objects with the Short Wavelength Spectrometer in full-grating-scan mode (2.4-45.2 micron). We have developed a comprehensive system of spectral classification using these data. Sources are assigned to groups based on the overall shape of the spectral energy distribution (SED). The groups include naked stars, dusty stars, warm dust shells, cool dust shells, very red sources, and sources with emission lines but no detected continuum. These groups are further divided into subgroups based on spectral features that shape the SED such as silicate or carbon-rich dust emission, silicate absorption, ice absorption, and fine-structure or recombination lines. Caveats regarding the data and data reduction, and biases intrinsic to the database, are discussed. We also examine how the subgroups relate to the evolution of sources to and from the main sequence and how this classification scheme relates to previous systems.

A practical approach to the classification of IRAS sources using infrared colors alone

Zones of the IRAS color-color planes in which a variety of different types of known source occur, have been defined for the purpose of obtaining representative IRAS colors for them. There is considerable overlap between many of these zones, rendering a unique classification difficult on the basis of IRAS colors alone, although galactic latitude can resolve ambiguities between galactic and extragalactic populations. The color dependence of these zones on the presence of spectral emission/absorption features and on the spatial extent of the sources has been investigated. It is found that silicate emission features do not significantly influence the IRAS colors. Planetary nebulae may show a dependence of color on the presence of atomic or molecular features in emission, although the dominant cause of this effect may be the underlying red continua of nebulae with strong atomic lines. Only small shifts are detected in the colors of individual spatially extended sources when total flux measurements are substituted for point-source measurements. 36 refs.

CLASSIFICATION OF SPECTRA FROM THE INFRARED SPACE OBSERVATORY PHT-S DATABASE

We have classified over 1500 infrared spectra obtained with the PHT-S spectrometer aboard the Infrared Space Observatory according to the system developed for the Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) spectra by Kraemer et al. The majority of these spectra contribute to subclasses that are either underrepresented in the SWS spectral database or contain sources that are too faint, such as M dwarfs, to have been observed by either the SWS or the Infrared Astronomical Satellite Low Resolution Spectrometer. There is strong overall agreement about the chemistry of objects observed with both instruments. Discrepancies can usually be traced to the different wavelength ranges and sensitivities of the instruments. Finally, a large subset of the observations (250 spectra) exhibit a featureless, red continuum that is consistent with emission from zodiacal dust and suggest directions for further analysis of this serendipitous measurement of the zodiacal background.

IRAS colors of carbon stars - An optical spectroscopic test

Optical spectra are obtained of 57 photographic counterparts to IRAS sources not previously studied spectroscopically, and expected on the basis of their IRAS colors to be M or C type stars. Confirmed carbon stars are found only in a restricted range of 12-25 index, and constitute a striking vertical sequence in the 12-25-60 micron color-color diagram. This sequence is in accord with evolutionary models for AGB stars that convert M into C stars by dredge-up, and follow loops in the color-color plane. Optically visible and optically invisible carbon stars occupy different color-color locations consistent with their representations of different evolutionary states in the life of relatively low-mass stars. 16 refs.

Classification of Spectra from theInfrared Space ObservatoryPHT‐S Database

We have classified over 1500 infrared spectra obtained with the PHT-S spectrometer aboard the Infrared Space Observatory according to the system developed for the Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) spectra by Kraemer et al. The majority of these spectra contribute to subclasses that are either underrepresented in the SWS spectral database or contain sources that are too faint, such as M dwarfs, to have been observed by either the SWS or the Infrared Astronomical Satellite Low Resolution Spectrometer. There is strong overall agreement about the chemistry of objects observed with both instruments. Discrepancies can usually be traced to the different wavelength ranges and sensitivities of the instruments. Finally, a large subset of the observations (250 spectra) exhibit a featureless, red continuum that is consistent with emission from zodiacal dust and suggest directions for further analysis of this serendipitous measurement of the zodiacal background.

Classification of Spectra from the Infrared Space Observatory PHT-S DatabaseBased on observations with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), a European Space Agency (ESA) project with instruments funded by ESA Member States (especially the Principle Investigator countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, and United Kingdom) and with the participation of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

We have classified over 1500 infrared spectra obtained with the PHT-S spectrometer aboard the Infrared Space Observatory according to the system developed for the Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) spectra by Kraemer et al. The majority of these spectra contribute to subclasses that are either underrepresented in the SWS spectral database or contain sources that are too faint, such as M dwarfs, to have been observed by either the SWS or the Infrared Astronomical Satellite Low Resolution Spectrometer. There is strong overall agreement about the chemistry of objects observed with both instruments. Discrepancies can usually be traced to the different wavelength ranges and sensitivities of the instruments. Finally, a large subset of the observations (250 spectra) exhibit a featureless, red continuum that is consistent with emission from zodiacal dust and suggest directions for further analysis of this serendipitous measurement of the zodiacal background.