2003/07/03 by S. C. Trager, Trager, S. C.
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/0307069
To appear in Carnegie Observatories Astrophysics Series, vol. 4: Origin and Evolution of the Elements, ed. A. McWilliam & M. Rauch (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). 17 pages, 6 figures
arxiv created 2003/07/03 · openalex publication_date 2003/07/03 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
It is currently impossible to determine the abundances and ages of the stellar populations of distant, dense stellar systems star by star. Therefore, methods to analyze the composite light of stellar systems are required. I review the modelling and analysis of integrated spectra of the stellar populations of individual globular clusters, globular cluster systems, early-type galaxies, and the bulges of spiral galaxies, with a focus on their abundances and abundance ratios. I conclude with a list of continuing difficulties in the modelling that complicate the interpretation of integrated spectra as well as a look ahead to new methods and new observations.