Type A Stars and their Spectra

A quick look at 2 prominent stars, Sirius and Canopus.

• What defines a star as type A in its spectrum?
• What is especially interesting about these 2 stars?
• What equipment is required to obtain a good spectrum?
• Determining atmospheric temperature?
• Why do we want to do follow up work?

Ken McEwen

Ken is a SASI life member with years of hands-on experience in all aspects of amateur astronomy including visual, astrophotography, and star spectra. He is our resident guru on the latter, and recently worked with another SASI member, Sany Galos, at his property near Mudgee to take a series of spectra over multiple nights.