Astronomy Unit 6 Review - Telescopy & Spectroscopy

Spectrum

A range of electromagnetic radiation organized by wavelength or frequency.

Radiation

Energy emitted in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles.

Doppler Effect

The change in frequency or wavelength of light or sound due to the motion of the source or observer.

Wavelength

The distance between successive crests or troughs of a wave.

Red-Shift

Increase in wavelength of light from an object moving away from the observer.

Blue-Shift

Decrease in wavelength of light from an object moving towards the observer.

Reflecting Telescope

Uses mirrors to gather and focus light.

Refracting Telescope

Uses lenses to gather and focus light.

Spectroscope

An instrument used to analyze the spectrum of light emitted/absorbed by objects.

Emission lines

Bright lines in a spectrum corresponding to specific wavelengths of light emitted from elements.

Absorption lines

Dark lines in a spectrum corresponding to specific wavelengths of light absorbed by elements.

Light can be described as a wave through its wavelength, frequency, and the ability to produce interference and diffraction patterns.

What are some ways that light can be described as a wave?

Major divisions of electromagnetic radiation

Radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays.

By causing it to emit radiation at shorter wavelengths as its temperature increases.

How does temperature affect the type of EM radiation an object emits?

To collect and magnify light to observe distant objects in space.

What is the primary goal of a telescope?

Reflective telescopes due to their ability to collect more light and avoid chromatic aberration.q

What type of telescopes are modern telescopes?

Radio telescopy

Using large antennas to detect radio waves from space.

Advantages of using radio telescopes

Ability to observe objects in all weather conditions

Difficulty of using radio telescopes

Signals are often weak and require advanced technology to process.

Advantage of using telescopes in space

The absence of the atmosphere

Spectroscopy

The study of the light spectrum.