Spectroscopes!
and the amazing science behind them
How It Works
A spectroscope is a simple but powerful tool for astronomers. To use one, the instrument must be pointed at the light source and inside the spectroscope the light reflects off of a prism, which separates the wavelengths and shows the viewer the spectrum that is unique to the element that the light source is made of.
Why It Matters
Spectroscopy is an important scientific field because it helps us to understand the world and wider universe around us. Elements in stars are identified using spectroscopy. Through the analysis and comparison of the unique spectra that comes from the light a star generates, astronomers can identify the elements in the star.