Spectrum in the Solar System
How to identify elements in outer space
How do we know what is in outer space ?
In order to see what is in outer astronomers uses a spectroscope( an instrument that breaks apart visible light to see what wavelengths are absorbed or emitted). When an astronomer looks into the spectroscope he or she see various colors that are not visible to the naked eye that helps identify different elements. They can identify the elements by looking at the wavelengths and because elements are like humans in the way that it has its own " fingerprints" meaning each element has its own unique specific light/colors. When the astronomers use the spectroscope they can identify the element by its own light pattern in the spectra. The three common spectra's are continuous where the colors flow into each other , emission where the background is black and there is bright lines , and absorption where the background is colors and the lines are black.