Spectroscopy
About Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. Historically, spectroscopy originated through the study of visible light dispersed according to its wavelength, by a prism. One can take light and split it up to its wavelength components to form a spectrum.
If you click the pictures below they provide more detail on what spectrographs can do.
Spectrograph Diagram
Spectral measurement devices are referred to as spectrometers, spectrophotometers, spectrographs or spectral analyzers.
Elements
Spectroscopic data is often represented by a spectrum, a plot of the response of interest as a function of wavelength or frequency.
Another Diagram
How it works is basically a light source, also known as visible light is shining down on a prism which reflects the colors of the light.
How Can Spectroscopy Help Us?
Here's an answer
Spectroscopy, as stated before, is the interaction between matter and radiated energy. It can help us identify elements on the periodic table as well as be a powerful tool in astronomy. It can help identify elements within a star without really sending anyone into outer space.