Astronomy and Solar Physics Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to light, telescopes, and solar activity from the lecture transcript.

electromagnetic spectrum

the complete range of electromagnetic radiation from radio waves to gamma rays, including the visible spectrum.

Photon

individual packet of electromagnetic energy that makes up electromagnetic radiation.

Spectroscopy

the study of the way in which atoms absorb and emit electromagnetic radiation.

Continuous spectrum

spectrum in which the radiation is distributed over all frequencies, not just a few specific wavelengths.

Absorption spectrum

dark line in an otherwise continuous bright spectrum, where light within one narrow frequency range has been removed.

Emission spectrum

the pattern of spectral emission lines produced by an element.

Doppler effect

any motion induced change in the observed wavelength of a wave.

Refracting telescope

a telescope that uses a lens to gather and focus light from a distant object.

Chromatic aberration

the tendency for a lens to focus red and blue light differently, causing images to become blurred.

Reflecting telescope

a telescope which uses a mirror to gather and focus light from a distant object.

Radio telescope

Large instrument designed to detect radiation from space at radio wavelengths.

Photosphere

the visible surface of the sun, lying just above the uppermost layer of the sun's interior.

Chromosphere

the sun's lower atmosphere, lying just above the visible atmosphere.

Corona

the tenuous outer atmosphere of the sun, which lies just above the chromosphere.

Solar wind

an outward flow of fast moving charged particles from the sun.

Sunspot

an Earth-sized dark blemish found on the surface of the sun.

Prominence

loop or sheet of glowing gas ejected from an active region on the solar surface.

Solar flare

Massive, sudden explosions on the sun’s surface that release intense bursts of radiation into space.

Aurora

event that occurs when atmospheric molecules are excited by incoming charged particles from the solar wind, then emit energy as they fall back to their ground state.

Nuclear fusion

mechanism of energy generation used in nuclear reactors on Earth. Heavy nuclei are combined into heavier ones, releasing energy in the process.