Why is H_delta prominent in type A stars?
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I understand factually that H$delta$ lines are most prominent in type A stars and less so in more extreme types of stars on the H-R diagram. However I was wondering the reason for why they are not prominent in more extreme type stars such as type O or type F. For type F stars I believe (this may not be correct) none of the hydrogen is in the 4th excited state (or very few are) so there aren't many H$delta$ balmer lines. However I am very unsure of why the EW H$delta$ is low in type O stars. Can someone please explain this, Thanks!
star observational-astronomy spectroscopy stellar-evolution
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up vote
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I understand factually that H$delta$ lines are most prominent in type A stars and less so in more extreme types of stars on the H-R diagram. However I was wondering the reason for why they are not prominent in more extreme type stars such as type O or type F. For type F stars I believe (this may not be correct) none of the hydrogen is in the 4th excited state (or very few are) so there aren't many H$delta$ balmer lines. However I am very unsure of why the EW H$delta$ is low in type O stars. Can someone please explain this, Thanks!
star observational-astronomy spectroscopy stellar-evolution
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up vote
7
down vote
favorite
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
I understand factually that H$delta$ lines are most prominent in type A stars and less so in more extreme types of stars on the H-R diagram. However I was wondering the reason for why they are not prominent in more extreme type stars such as type O or type F. For type F stars I believe (this may not be correct) none of the hydrogen is in the 4th excited state (or very few are) so there aren't many H$delta$ balmer lines. However I am very unsure of why the EW H$delta$ is low in type O stars. Can someone please explain this, Thanks!
star observational-astronomy spectroscopy stellar-evolution
I understand factually that H$delta$ lines are most prominent in type A stars and less so in more extreme types of stars on the H-R diagram. However I was wondering the reason for why they are not prominent in more extreme type stars such as type O or type F. For type F stars I believe (this may not be correct) none of the hydrogen is in the 4th excited state (or very few are) so there aren't many H$delta$ balmer lines. However I am very unsure of why the EW H$delta$ is low in type O stars. Can someone please explain this, Thanks!
star observational-astronomy spectroscopy stellar-evolution
asked Aug 7 at 15:32
QuantumPanda
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H$delta$ absorption is formed when hydrogen in the level $n=2$ is excited to $n=6$.
To get strong H$delta$ absorption lines you need large amounts of hydrogen in the first excited state $n=2$ and a radiation field that contains large numbers of photons with an energy equal to the difference between the $n=6$ and $n=2$ states.
These requirements are satisfied in stars with photospheres between about 8,000K and 15,000K, and we call these early-F and A-type stars.
At cooler temperatures most of the hydrogen is in the ground state, there are few photons with sufficient energy (3eV) to be absorbed and the H$delta$ line weakens. At much higher temperatures (in O-stars for example) then none of the hydrogen is in the $n=2$ level, and in fact most of it is ionised.
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
11
down vote
accepted
H$delta$ absorption is formed when hydrogen in the level $n=2$ is excited to $n=6$.
To get strong H$delta$ absorption lines you need large amounts of hydrogen in the first excited state $n=2$ and a radiation field that contains large numbers of photons with an energy equal to the difference between the $n=6$ and $n=2$ states.
These requirements are satisfied in stars with photospheres between about 8,000K and 15,000K, and we call these early-F and A-type stars.
At cooler temperatures most of the hydrogen is in the ground state, there are few photons with sufficient energy (3eV) to be absorbed and the H$delta$ line weakens. At much higher temperatures (in O-stars for example) then none of the hydrogen is in the $n=2$ level, and in fact most of it is ionised.
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
accepted
H$delta$ absorption is formed when hydrogen in the level $n=2$ is excited to $n=6$.
To get strong H$delta$ absorption lines you need large amounts of hydrogen in the first excited state $n=2$ and a radiation field that contains large numbers of photons with an energy equal to the difference between the $n=6$ and $n=2$ states.
These requirements are satisfied in stars with photospheres between about 8,000K and 15,000K, and we call these early-F and A-type stars.
At cooler temperatures most of the hydrogen is in the ground state, there are few photons with sufficient energy (3eV) to be absorbed and the H$delta$ line weakens. At much higher temperatures (in O-stars for example) then none of the hydrogen is in the $n=2$ level, and in fact most of it is ionised.
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
accepted
up vote
11
down vote
accepted
H$delta$ absorption is formed when hydrogen in the level $n=2$ is excited to $n=6$.
To get strong H$delta$ absorption lines you need large amounts of hydrogen in the first excited state $n=2$ and a radiation field that contains large numbers of photons with an energy equal to the difference between the $n=6$ and $n=2$ states.
These requirements are satisfied in stars with photospheres between about 8,000K and 15,000K, and we call these early-F and A-type stars.
At cooler temperatures most of the hydrogen is in the ground state, there are few photons with sufficient energy (3eV) to be absorbed and the H$delta$ line weakens. At much higher temperatures (in O-stars for example) then none of the hydrogen is in the $n=2$ level, and in fact most of it is ionised.
H$delta$ absorption is formed when hydrogen in the level $n=2$ is excited to $n=6$.
To get strong H$delta$ absorption lines you need large amounts of hydrogen in the first excited state $n=2$ and a radiation field that contains large numbers of photons with an energy equal to the difference between the $n=6$ and $n=2$ states.
These requirements are satisfied in stars with photospheres between about 8,000K and 15,000K, and we call these early-F and A-type stars.
At cooler temperatures most of the hydrogen is in the ground state, there are few photons with sufficient energy (3eV) to be absorbed and the H$delta$ line weakens. At much higher temperatures (in O-stars for example) then none of the hydrogen is in the $n=2$ level, and in fact most of it is ionised.
edited Aug 7 at 22:59
answered Aug 7 at 16:12
Rob Jeffries
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