Spectral Irradiance Calibration in the Infrared. VI. 3-35 micron Spectra of Three Southern Standard Stars
Abstract
We present three new absolutely calibrated continuous stellar spectra from 3 to 35 μm, constructed as far as possible from actual observed spectral fragments taken from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), and the IRAS Low Resolution Spectrometer (LRS). These stars-α1 Cen, α TrA, and η Car-augment our previous archive of complete absolutely calibrated spectra for northern K and M giants. All these spectra have a common calibration pedigree. The wavelength coverage is ideal for calibration of many existing and proposed ground-based, airborne, and satellite sensors. KAO and IRAS data in the 15-30 μm range suggest that the spectra of cool giants are close to Rayleigh-Jeans slopes. Our observations of α1 Cen, absolutely calibrated via our adopted Sirius model, indicate an angular diameter in very good agreement with values in the literature, demonstrating "closure" of the set of spectra within our absolute framework. We compare our observed α1 Cen spectrum with a published grid of theoretical models from Kurucz, and adopt a plausible theoretical shape, that fits our spectrum, as a secondary reference spectrum in the southern sky.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- July 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1086/118006
- Bibcode:
- 1996AJ....112..241C
- Keywords:
-
- REFERNCE SYSTEMS;
- INFRARED: STARS