The Physical Basis of Luminosity Classification in the Late A-, F-, and Early G-Type Stars. II. Basic Parameters of Program Stars and the Role of Microturbulence

Abstract

Paper I of this series presented precise MK spectral types for 372 late A-, F-, and early G-type stars with the aim of understanding the nature of luminosity classification on the MK spectral classification system for this range of spectral types. In this paper, a multidimensional downhill simplex technique is introduced to determine the basic parameters of the program stars from fits of synthetic spectra and fluxes with observed spectra and fluxes from Stromgren uvby photometry. This exercise yields useful calibrations of the MK spectral classification system but, most importantly, gives insight into the physical nature of luminosity classification on the MK spectral classification system. In particular, we find that in this range of spectral types, microturbulence appears to be at least as important as gravity in determining the MK luminosity type.