12.7: Sample Spectral Types
- Page ID
- 64191
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
Trying to remember the Spectral Types in order? A couple of excellent – and time-proven mnemonics to assist you:
O h B e A F ine G irl/ G uy, K iss M e O h B oy, A n F G rade K ills M e
There are several other Spectral Types, like the carbon RNS stars (additional mnemonic is R ight N ow S weetheart) or the very low temperature L, T, and Y stars (additional mnemonic is L ove To Y ou).
O
Temperature Range
- >30,000 K
Color
- Blue-blue-white
Stellar Examples
- Orion Belt Stars (3 stars)
B
Temperature Range
- 10,000-30,000 K
Color
- Blue-white
Stellar Examples
- Rigel, Orion’s shoulder star
A
Temperature Range
- 7,500-10,000 K
Color
- White
Stellar Examples
- Sirius, the Dog Star in CMa
F
Temperature Range
- 6,000-7,500 K
Color
- Yellow
Stellar Examples
- Polaris, North Pole Star
G
Temperature Range
- 5,000-6,000 K
Color
>
- Deep Yellow
Stellar Examples
- Sun
K
Temperature Range
- 3,500-5,000 K
Color
>
- Orange
Stellar Examples
>
- Arcturus, bright star in Boötes
M
Temperature Range
- …3,500 K
Color
- Red
Stellar Examples
- Betelgeuse, Orion’s armpit
CC licensed content, Original
- Provided by: Florida State College at Jacksonville. License: CC BY: Attribution