Deciphering Info on Stars in the Galaxy Map

[xCloneECKO]

I give up. I cannot for the life of me find any info on what the "Star Types" section in the info area of the galaxy map means. I understand areas where it says KI M2 or something means that there is a class K and class M star in the system, but what does the V stand for and what do the letters or numbers after the star type or "V" mean? I can't figure it out, and I can't find anywhere else explaining this. It's just bothering me not knowing, especially when I'm exploring and this might help.

 

[Elpapo]

Google will have anwser you seek.

Most usefull info in from star type for explorer, its if star its fuel scoop capable or not. Then mind this:

"One easy way to remember which stars are scoopable is to remember the phrase: Oh Be A Fine Girl Kiss Me (O,B,A,F,G,K,M). An alternative phrase is KGB FOAM or FOG KBAM."

 

[Midian Cabal]

Let me google that for you...

 

[xCloneECKO]

You all don't think I've tried that? I can't find ANYTHING telling me about this.

 

[soma]

You all don't think I've tried that? I can't find ANYTHING telling me about this.

Have a look at the wikipedia site, it is rather helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_classification

Most stars are currently classified under the Morgan–Keenan (MK) system using the letters O, B, A, F, G, K, and M, a sequence from the hottest (O type) to the coolest (M type). Each letter class is then subdivided using a numeric digit with 0 being hottest and 9 being coolest (e.g. A8, A9, F0, F1 form a sequence from hotter to cooler). The sequence has been expanded with classes for other stars and star-like objects that do not fit in the classical system, such class D for white dwarfs and class C for carbon stars.


In the MK system a luminosity class is added to the spectral class using Roman numerals. This is based on the width of certain absorption lines in the star's spectrum which vary with the density of the atmosphere and so distinguish giant stars from dwarfs. Luminosity class 0 or Ia+ stars for hypergiants, class I stars for supergiants, class II for bright giants, class III for regular giants, class IV for sub-giants, class V for main-sequence stars, class sd for sub-dwarfs, and class D for white dwarfs. The full spectral class for the Sun is then G2V, indicating a main-sequence star with a temperature around 5,800K.

 

[Phaaded]

You all don't think I've tried that? I can't find ANYTHING telling me about this.

lol

c'mon now!

 

[xCloneECKO]

Have a look at the wikipedia site, it is rather helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_classification

This helps, but what do the "V"s stand for then? What it says in the article is that it's related to neutron stars, but I see this in nearly every system on Elite, so that can't be what it is.

 

[Winterwalker]

This helps, but what do the "V"s stand for then? What it says in the article is that it's related to neutron stars, but I see this in nearly every system on Elite, so that can't be what it is.

Simple answer: SIZE

O,B,A,F,G,K,M is to do with chemical composition

(V) is a roman numeral (5) and indicates the star's luminosity / class

classes: 0 is hypergiant, I supergiant, II bright giant, III regular giant, class IV sub-giant and class V is main-sequence star (sd for sub-dwarf, D for white dwarf).

The full spectral class for the Sun is G2V, indicating a class 5 (main-sequence star), composition G.
(The 2 is to do with temperature, 0 being hottest and 9 being coolest)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_classification

 

[soma]

This helps, but what do the "V"s stand for then? What it says in the article is that it's related to neutron stars, but I see this in nearly every system on Elite, so that can't be what it is.

To requote the wikipedia site I just linked:

Luminosity class 0 or Ia+ stars for hypergiants, class I stars for supergiants, class II for bright giants, class III for regular giants, class IV for sub-giants, class V for main-sequence stars, class sd for sub-dwarfs, and class D for white dwarfs.

So I assume the V indicates a main sequence star (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_sequence ). But dont ask me any details I am not an astronomer and although I play ED quite a bit, I have so far failed to read up on the details...

 

[QBiG1970]

May Be this picture will help:

Credits to Original CMDR who put this together!

 

[Synthetic Frost]

Keep in mind though that if you're specifically searching for planets by size, the Galaxy Map isn't great at doing that. You can search for O and B type stars, which burn hydrogen which means they expand and burn very bright and very hot, dying out very quickly. But you can't search by size directly, and chemical composition and mass is no indication of size.

Most of the more common supergiant and hypergiant stars in the known galaxy are actually more "normal" K and M main sequence stars, which are very near or at the very end of their lifespans. They've burned off all the hydrogen and helium which made up most of the mass that compressed the star and held it together. So the've "ballooned out" to massive proportions.

To judge a star by size on the galaxy map, you have to manually look at the 0-9 or Ia designations.

 

[Brieus]

Even if you don't know what "stellar classification" means, googling "What does the V in star types mean" brings up stellar classification as the first result.

 

[Agrar Therenus]

T Tauri look a lot like normal main sequence stars, but they can't be used to refuel (think they are very young stars).

http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Stars

People aren't very good at using Google are they? I wondered this same thing, and it took me about two minutes to find the answers.

When exploring just filter out the ones you can't fuel at. Simple.