Selection of Bandpasses
The temperature classification of early-type stars is based on Balmer jump (Balmer discontinuity). To measure it one must have two bandpasses placed in the ultraviolet, one beyond the Balmer jump (U magnitude) and another after the jump (X magnitude). The Y bandpass is near the breakpoint of the interstellar extinction law (interstellar extinction in the 300–800 nm region can be approximated by two straight lines, which intersect at ~435.5 nm). The P magnitude is placed exactly on the Balmer jump in order to provide separation for luminosity classes of B-A-F stars.
The Z magnitude is placed on the Mg I triplet and the MgH molecular band. It is sensitive to the luminosity classes of G-K-M stars. Finally, the V magnitude is chosen to coincide with a similar bandpass in the UBV system. It provides the possibility to relate these two photometric systems. S bandpass coincides with H alpha line position and provides information about emission or absorption phenomena in that line.
Read more about this topic: Vilnius Photometric System
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