Spectacular Spectrums
By Sophia Figueroa and Anthony Fastiggi
How are they spectacular?
Spectroscopy is the analysis of light spectra and the way in which light interacts with matter. This is useful because it will help us identify what is in the star. The spectra is like a fingerprint. No one has the same fingerprint, so no star has the same spectra. To conduct spectroscopy, you need a spectrograph. A spectrograph is an instrument which disperses the incoming light and measures the intensity of radiation at each wavelength.The analysis of the radiation (light) coming from a star will identify the elements in that star. This is useful to astronomers because it can help them identify what stars are made of. For example, based on spectroscopy, an astronomer can tell if a star is made of Lithium or Helium.
Continuous
All wavelengths are broken down.
Emission
There's a black background with colored lines.
Absorption
Certain wavelengths are absorbed which create dark lines.
Hydrogen
If you see these patterns coming from a star then, you know that this star is composed of Hydrogen.
Helium
If you see these patterns coming from a star then, you know that this star is composed of Helium.
Lithium
If you see these patterns coming from a star then, you know that this star is composed of Lithium
Oxygen
If you see these patterns coming from a star then, you know that this star is composed of Oxygen.
Carbon
If you see these patterns coming from a star then, you know that this star is composed of Carbon.
Neon
If you see these patterns coming from a star then, you know that this star is composed of Neon.