Written by leading experts in the field, Stellar Spectral Classification is the only book to comprehensively discuss both the foundations and most up-to-date techniques of MK and other spectral classification systems. Definitive and encyclopedic, the book introduces the astrophysics of spectroscopy, reviews the entire field of stellar astronomy, and shows how the well-tested methods of spectral classification are a powerful discovery tool for graduate students and researchers working in astronomy and astrophysics. The book begins with a historical survey, followed by chapters discussing the entire range of stellar phenomena, from brown dwarfs to supernovae. The authors account for advances in the field, including the addition of the L and T dwarf classes; the revision of the carbon star, Wolf-Rayet, and white dwarf classification schemes; and the application of neural nets to spectral classification. Copious figures illustrate the morphology of stellar spectra, and the book incorporates recent discoveries from earth-based and satellite data. Many examples of spectra are given in the red, ultraviolet, and infrared regions, as well as in the traditional blue-violet optical region, all of which are useful for researchers identifying stellar and galactic spectra. This essential reference includes a glossary, handy appendixes and tables, an index, and a Web-based resource of spectra. In addition to the authors, the contributors are Adam J. Burgasser, Margaret M. Hanson, J. Davy Kirkpatrick, and Nolan R. Walborn.

Two years ago, just before the Prague meeting of the International Astronomical Union, Armin Deutsch made the bold suggestion that the space spectroscopists hold a joint symposium with the ground-based observers. At that time the rocket observa tions of stellar spectra seemed too meagre to make such a meeting worthwhile, but we proceeded in the hope that there would be significant new results available by 1969. IAU Commissions 29 and 44, on Stellar Spectra and Observations from Outside the Terrestrial Atmosphere respectively, agreed to sponsor the symposium so that the organization was given to the Joint Working Group of these commissions. Conse quently, the Organizing Committee, which met first in Prague, consisted of A. Deutsch, M.W. Feast, L. Houziaux, V.G. Kurt, N.G. Roman, J. Sahade, A.B. Underhill, and R. Wilson, with myself as Chairman. Later COSP AR was invited to join in spon soring the symposium and T. Chubb was added as their representative. We were specially pleased when C. de Jager invited us to the Netherlands and offered the services of the Utrecht Observatory for the local organization. He suggested we hold the meeting at the new Lunteren Conference Centre located in a wooded area some 35 km east of Utrecht. The modern facilities of the Centre and the hospi tality of its staff contributed much to the enjoyment of our four days there.

The classification of stars into their various types is one of the fundamental areas of astronomy. This book is a comprehensive handbook on the tools, methods and results of stellar taxonomy. Although this subject is firmly rooted in classical astronomy, vast improvements in observational techniques have transformed the subject and greatly broadened the wavelength regions available for study. The first six chapters describe modern methods of spectroscopic and photometric classification. The remaining nine chapters describe particular families of stars, progressing from the hottest to the coolest. Within each category a description is given of the normal type and all the peculiar stars. Throughout the emphasis is on the phenomenology of classification, rather than the underlying astrophysics. Both authors have devoted themselves to developing the international centre for stellar data at Strasbourg, which uniquely qualifies them to write this definitive handbook for professional astronomers.