The power of principled bayesian methods in the study of stellar evolution. Issue 65 (14th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lebreton, Y.; Valls-Gabaud, D.; Charbonnel, C.; von Hippel, T.; van Dyk, D.A.; Stenning, D.C.; Robinson, E.; Jeffery, E.; Stein, N.; Jefferys, W.H.; O'Malley, E.
• Is Part Of: EAS publications series. Issue 65(2014)
• Page Start: 267
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2014-11-14
• Subjects: Astronomy -- Periodicals; 520
• DOI: 10.1051/eas/1465007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1633-4760

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>It takes years of effort employing the best telescopes and instruments to obtain high-quality stellar photometry, astrometry, and spectroscopy. Stellar evolution models contain the experience of lifetimes of theoretical calculations and testing. Yet most astronomers fit these valuable models to these precious datasets by eye. We show that a principled Bayesian approach to fitting models to stellar data yields substantially more information over a range of stellar astrophysics. We highlight advances in determining the ages of star clusters, mass ratios of binary stars, limitations in the accuracy of stellar models, post-main-sequence mass loss, and the ages of individual white dwarfs. We also outline a number of unsolved problems that would benefit from principled Bayesian analyses.</p> </abstract>