Stellar Flyer
By: Eric, Sam, and Owen
How are These Elements Found in Stars?
Scientists use spectroscopes to examine the spectra of stars and compare them to the spectra of known elements. This helps astronomers pinpoint the chemical composition of stars and other formations. For example If an astronomer wanted to find which chemical was most prevalent in a star, they would use a spectroscope and look at a star. They would take the spectra they found and compare it to other known spectra. Say the spectra they found was a hydrogen spectra, when they compare it with another hydrogen spectra they would see the major similarities. This would help them to realize that the star is mostly made up of hydrogen. The practice of examining the spectra of stars has helped to advance the field of astronomy significantly over the past century.