<p>No, you can't use them to identify your star. Indeed, you have too many stars in the universe. Even in our galaxy you can find two stars which have pretty much the same spectrum. You can classify the star though. </p>

<p>There is another problem with redshift and blueshift. It change the spectrum of the star depending its movement. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-19T15:12:13.760Z
The redshift or blueshift does not change the spectrum, it merely shifts it and can of course be corrected.
ProfRob
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-18T23:23:21.800Z
2018-12-18T23:23:21.800Z
Yoann A.
<p>Are stellar spectra unique enough that they could be used to identify particular stars? If so, has any attempt been made to use them for navigation or equipment alignment?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-18T21:03:39.227Z
Why would you need to identify stars by their spectrum? It is easy enough to identify stars by their position in the sky.
James K
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-18T22:54:54.343Z
@JamesK   I didn't ask if I needed to. I asked if it's possible.
Alphecca
<spectroscopy><spectra>
Spectra and star identification
Alphecca
# Spectra and star identification

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-12-18)

Are stellar spectra unique enough that they could be used to identify particular stars? If so, has any attempt been made to use them for navigation or equipment alignment?

**Tags:** spectroscopy, spectra

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Why would you need to identify stars by their spectrum? It is easy enough to identify stars by their position in the sky.  
> **username_0**: @username_1   I didn't ask if I needed to. I asked if it's possible.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-12-18. Score: 2

No, you can't use them to identify your star. Indeed, you have too many stars in the universe. Even in our galaxy you can find two stars which have pretty much the same spectrum. You can classify the star though.

There is another problem with redshift and blueshift. It change the spectrum of the star depending its movement.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: The redshift or blueshift does not change the spectrum, it merely shifts it and can of course be corrected.  

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