How can spectra tell us what things are made of?

Stars and planets are too far away for a human to touch, yet we know what they are made of. Spectra make this possible! Let’s investigate how.

What can we know about Earth from its spectra? Part 2

Spectrum Tool. Compare each type of spectra from Earth with spectra from different atoms and molecules. There are 3 spectra types in the top tool to investigate:

  1. Reflection
  2. Emission
  3. Transmission

Spectrum Notebook. Answer the questions in parts II, III, and IV in the What can we know about Earth from its spectra? section.

Source 1:
 
Brightness
Full-intensity spectrum backgroundTransparency increases or decreases based on chart intensity, hiding or revealing the background
Left axis ticks
Spectrum intensity vs wavelength chart
Bottom axis ticks
Wavelength (Microns)
Source 2:
 
Brightness
Full-intensity spectrum backgroundTransparency increases or decreases based on chart intensity, hiding or revealing the background
Left axis ticks
Spectrum intensity vs wavelength chart
Bottom axis ticks
Wavelength (Microns)
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