Astronomers gather information about space by detecting and analyzing electromagnetic radiation emitted or transmitted from celestial objects. Different types of electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves, visible light, and others, provide data about distances, properties, compositions and motions when collected by telescopes and studied. Spectroscopy techniques separate light into spectra that reveal characteristics of astronomical sources like temperature, density, and chemical makeup through unique spectral patterns.

1. How Do
Astronomers
Gather
Information
About Space?

2. 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 of the universe

3. Most of the
information we have
about the universe
comes from radiation.

4. Objects in
the
universe,
such as
stars and
galaxies,
emit
radiation.

5. This radiation travels
as waves. Different
kinds of radiation
have differing
wavelengths and
energies.

6. We cannot see
most of the
radiation, but
telescopes are
used to collect
the radiation for
astronomers to
study.

7. The entire collection of
different kinds of
radiation is called the
Electromagnetic
Spectrum.

8. The electromagnetic
spectrum is a
continuum of waves
divided into regions
based on wavelengths.

9. At one end of the
spectrum are radio
waves, which allow
you to listen to your
favorite radio station.

10. In the central portion is
the only part of the
spectrum you can see
with your eye, the
visible region.

11. Most of the
visible region
comes from the
Sun.

12. When light is passed
through a prism, it bends
and separates into its
different wavelengths.

13. Spectroscopy is the
study of the spectrum.
A spectroscope is
used to
separate light
into its
component
wavelengths so
that they can be
studied.

14. The pattern of
wavelengths and colors
is called a spectrum.

15. By obtaining and
analyzing the
spectrum from a
distant object,
astronomers can
determine the object’s
temperature, density,
direction of motion
and composition.

16. Each element
composing a star has a
unique spectrum. Just
like a fingerprint…..

17. Astronomers use
the spectral
patterns from
stars and other
objects to
determine what
elements
compose the
object.