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abstract
The luminosity structure of spiral galaxies is studied using the technique of Principal Component Analysis. It is found that about 94\% of the variation in the luminosity distribution of galaxies can be accounted for by just two principal components. The principal luminosity components may contain valuable information about star formation history or whatever luminosity regulating processes occur in galaxies. Practically, these principal components provide a new approach for the investigation of the luminosity structures of galaxies and their dependence on other properties. They also serve as an excellent objective classification system for galaxies.
