Automatic classification of spectra from the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS)

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5097185

Cheeseman, P; Stutz, J; Self, M; Taylor, W; Goebel, J; Volk, K; Walker, H

A new classification of Infrared spectra collected by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) is presented. The spectral classes were discovered automatically by a program called Auto Class 2. This program is a method for discovering (inducing) classes from a data base, utilizing a Bayesian probability approach. These classes can be used to give insight into the patterns that occur in the particular domain, in this case, infrared astronomical spectroscopy. The classified spectra are the entire Low Resolution Spectra (LRS) Atlas of 5,425 sources. There are seventy-seven classes in this classification and these in turn were meta-classified to produce nine meta-classes. The classification is presented as spectral plots, IRAS color-color plots, galactic distribution plots and class commentaries. Cross-reference tables, listing the sources by IRAS name and by Auto Class class, are also given. These classes show some of the well known classes, such as the black-body class, and silicate emission classes, but many other classes were unsuspected, while others show important subtle differences within the well known classes.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Moffett Field, CA (USA). Ames Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5097185
• Report Number(s): N-90-10807; NASA-RP--1217; NAS--1.61:1217
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640100* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CALIBRATION
DATA PROCESSING
INFRARED SPECTRA
PROCESSING
SPECTRA