Month: July 2025

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION ANALYSIS
Determining the elements in a star or galaxy using its spectrum.

RADIAL VELOCITY METHOD
A planet detection method using Doppler shifts in a star’s spectrum.

DOPPLER SPECTROSCOPY
Using spectral shifts to measure the motion of celestial objects.

FRAUNHOFER LINES
Dark lines in the Sun’s spectrum caused by absorption of specific wavelengths.

CONTINUOUS SPECTRUM
A smooth spectrum of colors produced by hot, dense objects.

ABSORPTION SPECTRUM
A pattern of dark lines where light has been absorbed by elements in a star’s atmosphere.

EMISSION SPECTRUM
A set of bright spectral lines produced when atoms release energy.

SPECTRAL LINES
Specific wavelengths of light absorbed or emitted by elements in space.

SPECTROSCOPY
The study of how matter interacts with different wavelengths of light.