Cooperative AI Techniques for Stellar Spectra Classification: A Hybrid Strategy

Abstract

This chapter describes a hybrid approach to the unattended classification of low-resolution optical spectra of stars. The classification of stars in the standard MK system constitutes an important problem in the astrophysics area, since it helps to carry out proper stellar evolution studies. Manual methods, based on the visual study of stellar spectra, have been frequently and successfully used by researchers for many years, but they are no longer viable because of the spectacular advances of the objects collection technologies, which gather a huge amount of spectral data in a relatively short time. Therefore, we propose a cooperative system that is capable of classifying stars automatically and efficiently, by applying to each spectrum the most appropriate method or combined methods, which guarantees a reliable, consistent, and adapted classification. Our final objective is the integration of several artificial intelligence techniques in a unique hybrid system.