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!







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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!







    share|improve this question





















      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!







      share|improve this question











      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!









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      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
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            1 Answer
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            active

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            up vote
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            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.






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              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.






              share|improve this answer

























                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.






                share|improve this answer















                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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                edited Aug 7 at 22:59


























                answered Aug 7 at 16:12









                Rob Jeffries

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