E(B-V) determinations of O and B stars using artificial neural networks

We propose a new method to determine E(B - V) from low-dispersion ultraviolet spectra by using artificial neural networks. This method has been applied to O and B stars in the IUE low-dispersion catalog. A comparison of the ANN-based determinations with the classical method of comparing observed (B - V) with intrinsic color (B - V)(0) is performed to assess the reliability and limitations of the new method. We have been able to determine E(B - V) to an accuracy of 0.08 mag and also been able to single out a star which follows an anomalous interstellar extinction law.