interface tweaks

src/abundances.jl

@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ function format_A_X(default_metals_H::R1=0.0, default_alpha_H::R2=default_metals
     # make sure the keys of abundances are valid, and convert them to Z if they are strings
     clean_abundances = Dict{UInt8,V}()
     for (el, abund) in abundances
+        if el isa Symbol
+            el = string(el)
+        end
         if el isa AbstractString
             if !(el in keys(Korg.atomic_numbers))
                 throw(ArgumentError("$el isn't a valid atomic symbol."))

src/synth.jl

@@ -8,22 +8,20 @@ function synth(;
                rectify=true,
                R=Inf,
                vsini=0,
-               kwargs...,)
-    # if a keyword argument is an atomic symbol, it is assumed to be an abundance
-    # otherwise, it is passed to synthesize
-    abunds_set = [k for k in keys(kwargs) if k in atomic_symbols]
-
-    A_X = format_A_X(metals_H, alpha_H, Dict(k => kwargs[k] for k in abunds_set))
+               synthesize_kwargs=Dict(),
+               abundances...,)
+    A_X = format_A_X(metals_H, alpha_H, abundances)
     atm = interpolate_marcs(Teff, logg, A_X)
 
-    synthesize_kwargs = [k => kwargs[k] for k in keys(kwargs) if !(k in abunds_set)]
+    # synthesize kwargs currently must be symbols, which is annoying
     spectrum = synthesize(atm, linelist, A_X, wavelengths; synthesize_kwargs...)
     flux = if rectify
         spectrum.flux ./ spectrum.cntm
     else
         spectrum.flux
     end
     if isfinite(R)
+        # TODO this induces edge effects
         flux = apply_LSF(flux, spectrum.wavelengths, R)
     end
     if vsini > 0