2007-02-09 08:12:59 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Light is electromagnetic radiation. Chemical elements absorb and emit radiation at a specified wavelength. So, iron for example absorbs light at a different wavelength than hydrogen. When light from a star passes through a spectrograph, dark lines appear at certain wavelengths. Each of those wavelengths corresponds to one chemical element. So, astronomers can find out the chemical composition of the star, for one.
Spectrum analysis can also indicate temperature and density and other characteristics of the star.
2007-02-09 08:32:44 · answer #1 · answered by Tenebra98 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When light from a star shines through some element, like hydrogen, that light is changed in such a way that scientists can determine what the element is by matching it up with samples already prepared in the laboratory. This technique is called "spectroscopy."
2016-05-24 02:25:21 · answer #2 · answered by Kristyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They use the colors that are visiable to detect what the chemical compositions are in stars as they go through their fusion through out their lifetime. The scientists also use the invisable wavelengths to study stars as well.from ultraviolet,xray to gamma radiation,(studying blackholes or gamma ray bursts).
2007-02-09 08:24:27 · answer #3 · answered by Velika 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spectroscopy tells you what the star is made of at its surface (atomic spectra are the same there as they are here).
How far away it is (ie how fast its receding from us) (redshift)
What kind of interstellar crap is between us and the star (dark lines in the spectrum )
2007-02-09 08:17:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two main ways:
1. To analyze their chemical composition.
2. To analyze the movement.
To see why the latter makes sense, look up "red shift".
2007-02-09 08:16:28 · answer #5 · answered by Curt Monash 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋