Stellar Spectral Libraries for Stellar Population Studies

Abstract

This talk presents a systematic review of stellar spectral libraries (SSLs) and their evolution in astronomical research, with a focus on their role in stellar population studies. Through a literature search covering publications from 1899 to 2024, we trace the development of SSLs from early photographic surveys to modern high-resolution digital collections. We examine the current state-of-the-art in both observational and synthetic libraries, discussing their relative strengths and impacts on the field. The review highlights how technological advances expand the capabilities of libraries, and it discusses future perspectives with upcoming facilities and the challenges of managing increasingly large datasets.