Stars *Basic Star Information *Electromagnetic Spectrum *Spectral Analysis *Energy Production in Stars *Life Cycle of a Star *HR Diagrams

Electromagnetic Spectrum Vocab word for “Electromagnetic Spectrum”… Electromagnetic Spectrum

Electromagnetic Spectrum The Electromagnetic Spectrum is the chart of all the radiation coming off a star plotted by wavelength, frequency and energy. The radiation is sorted into 7 different categories on the spectrum…. Radio Waves Microwaves Infrared Radiation Visible Light Ultraviolet Radiation X-Rays Gamma Rays It is relative to the earth, because this is the radiation coming off the sun and eventually traveling to earth. Other stars produce the same radiation, that just doesn’t effect us because we are too far away from them!

Electromagnetic Spectrum Wavelength is decreasing left to right. Frequency is increasing left to right Energy is increasing left to right.

Electromagnetic Spectrum On the spectrum, the only types of radiation that penetrate earth’s atmosphere are radio waves and visible light. There is not a significant amount of infrared and ultraviolet radiation that penetrate earth’s atmosphere. The small section of visible light, is the only type of radiation our human eyes can actually see. It is seen as a variation of seven different colors. In order of decreasing wavelength, increasing frequency and increasing energy, the colors are… Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet

Spectral Analysis Vocab Word for “Spectral Analysis”…

Spectral Analysis Spectral Analysis is a practice used to learn about the composition of stars. Scientists have studied the “spectra” of different elements. They then look at the “spectra” of a star and compare it to the “spectra” of the different elements to determine what elements a star is made of.

Spectral Analysis Scientists use spectrometers or spectroscopes to study the “spectra” of the stars and different elements. A spectroscope has special lenses that allow scientists to see the different properties of light waves coming off a star or an element. A spectrometer is just a spectroscope that has scales on it to measure wavelength.

Spectral Analysis Example of the spectra of an entirely black object and the spectra of a few different elements!

Energy Production Vocab words for “Energy Production”… Hydrogen Fusion Photon

Energy Production Energy in a star is produced in the same manner as energy in the sun is produced because the sun is a star. It is produced by constant Hydrogen Fusion reactions occurring in the core of a star. This is when two hydrogen atoms bond together under an extreme amount of heat and pressure to produce helium and energy.

Energy Production The energy is given off in the form of a Photon. A Photon is a particle of energy traveling through a star. Each photon takes a totally random and different path through a star, just like they did through the sun!