Download How Do Astronomers Gather Information About

TEKS 8.8C explore how different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum such as light and radio waves are
used to gain information about distances and properties of components in the universe
How Do Astronomers Gather Information About Space?
Most of the information we have about the universe comes from radiation.
Objects in the universe, such as stars and galaxies, emit radiation. This
radiation travels in the form of waves. Different kinds of radiation have differing
wavelengths and energies. We cannot see most of the radiation, but
telescopes are used to collect the radiation for astronomers to study.
The entire collection of different kinds of radiation is called the electromagnetic
spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is a continuum of waves divided into
regions based on wavelengths. At one end of the spectrum are radio waves,
which allow you to listen to your favorite radio station. In the central portion is
the only part of the spectrum you can see with your eye, the visible region.
Most of the visible region comes from the Sun. When light is passed through a
prism, it bends and separates into its different wavelengths or colors of the
rainbow.
Spectroscopy is the study of the spectrum. A spectroscope is an instrument
used to separate light into its component wavelengths so that they can be
studied. The pattern of wavelengths and colors is called a spectrum. By
obtaining and analyzing the spectrum from a distant object, astronomers can
determine the object’s temperature, density, direction of motion and
composition.
Each element composing a star has a unique spectrum. Just like a fingerprint,
astronomers use the spectral patterns from stars and other objects to
determine what elements compose the object. Below is an example of a
spectrum from a star.
TEKS 8.8C explore how different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum such as light and radio waves are used to
gain information about distances and properties of components in the universe
How Do Astronomers Gather Information About Space?
Most of the information we have about the universe comes from
____________. Objects in the universe, such as _____________________,
emit radiation. This radiation travels in the form of ____________. Different
kinds of radiation have differing _________________ and energies. We
___________ _____ most of the radiation, but ____________ are used to
collect the radiation for astronomers to study.
The entire collection of different kinds of radiation is called the
_______________ _____________. The electromagnetic spectrum is a
continuum of waves divided into regions based on ______________. At one
end of the spectrum are _________ _________, which allow you to listen to
your favorite radio station. In the central portion is the only part of the spectrum
you can see with your eye, the __________ ___________. Most of the
visible region comes from the _______. When light is passed through a prism,
it bends and __________ into its different wavelengths or colors of the rainbow.
______________ is the study of the spectrum. A _______________ is an
instrument used to separate light into its component wavelengths so that they
can be studied. The pattern of wavelengths and colors is called a _________.
By obtaining and analyzing the ___________ from a distant object,
astronomers can determine the object’s __________, density, _________ __
__________ and ________________.
Each _________ composing a star has a unique spectrum. Just like a
____________, astronomers use the __________ ____________ from
stars and other objects to determine what ___________ compose the object.
Below is an example of a spectrum from a star.