Spectrums & Telescopes

1. Spectrums & Telescopes Visible light – light that we can see Measured in wavelengths – distance between crest of one wave and the crest of the next wave Spectrums - the band of colors formed when light is split into its separate wavelengths. *A device that makes distant objects appear to be closer *They detect electromagnetic radiation – light or energy that can travel through space in the form of waves – many types

2. Spectrums are measured with a spectroscope - instrument that can disperse a beam of light into a spectrum of its component wavelengths. • Spectrums can also be broken apart with a prism. Two types of Spectrums • Continuous Spectrum – an unbroken band of color • Bright-line spectrum – shows the different chemical gases being emitted from a star. Each element has its own spectrum.

3. Two types of telescopes Optical – uses lenses or mirrors to collect and focus visible light Two types of optical telescopes • Refracting – uses convex lenses to gather and focus light • Reflecting – uses mirrors to collect and focus light • Radio – device that detects radio waves from objects in space ***Telescopes are housed in an observatory – a building that contains one or more telescopes***