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New Standards for the Spectral Classification of M Dwarfs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 August 2015

R. F. Wing*
Affiliation:
Perkins Observatory, The Ohio State and Ohio Wesleyan Universities

Abstract

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Spectral types based upon photoelectric measurements of the strong TiO band near 7100 Å and having an internal accuracy of one-tenth of a subclass are presented for 26 dwarf stars in the range K4 to M6. For the calibration of the TiO index into spectral type, the MK scale for giants established by Wing and Keenan was adopted. Accordingly the types differ systematically from those previously published on any of the systems used for dwarfs, being closest to Joy's. The advantages of the MK giant scale are discussed, and it is suggested that the stars classified here be adopted as standards for a revised system of MK classification for dwarfs.

The relation between TiO band strength and near-infrared color temperature for dwarfs differs significantly from the giant relation. The coolest dwarfs observed were Wolf 359 and Proxima Centauri; although Wolf 359 is both cooler and less luminous than Proxima, they have nearly identical TiO band strengths.

Type
Part III: Photometric Classification
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1973 

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