The Use of Model Atmospheres for Temperature-Gravity Calibration

Abstract

Regardless of the degree of elaboration of series of models, just how can they be used for calibration purposes? And how much is this calibration sensitive to the quality of the model theory? These two questions are the basis of our discussion, which covers : I – The general principles of the use of model atmospheres in stellar calibration (1 – The two dimensional classifications; 2 – The use of the total luminosity; 3 – The cases of Vega and Sirius; 4 – The calibration of ST – Teff relation); II – The failures of the two parameters model atmospheres (1 – The observational need for more-than-two-parameters classification; 2 – The abundance of elements, the line formation, and the model atmospheres; 3 – Various sources of unadequacy of models; 4 – Envelopes or shell features; their influence on model-building; 5 – The case of HD 45677. Diagnostic of early-type stars; 6 – Various unexplained spectral features); III – The present state of the model factory (1 – The classical models; 2 – New concepts in the description of a stellar atmosphere; 3 – New approaches in model making; 4 – Conclusions).