Introduction
In this two part lab we are to build a spectroscope from parts included with our lab kit to visualize and analyze the spectra of several light sources. In the second part of the lab we are to build a pinhole viewer. We are to then take the pinhole viewer and measure the diameter of the sun and moon. After completing both parts of the lab, there are several questions that need addressing. This paper examines and answers those questions.
Spectroscope
To understand this week’s experiment one must first understand what a spectroscope is and what it does. With this understanding in hand, one would gain a deeper appreciation for this lab and its intended lesson. “A spectroscope is a device that measures the spectrum of light” (Ball, 2014). More specifically a spectroscope is an instrument designed to split light from different sources into wavelengths. Humans are able to see these wavelengths as different colors. Noting the difference in colors between various light sources, those studying a given light source can identify elements of the light source.
Using its prismatic effect, the spectroscope splits light into colors humans can see. these light sources produce different wavelengths which in turn produce different colors. this is how the human eye differs light sources and any potential elements of the source. Knowing human see the wavelengths as colors, then knowing which wavelengths produce which colors is the next logical step.
To the human eye, the spectroscope produces wavelengths seen as various colors. The shortest wavelength humans can see appears as violet or purple ot the human eye. The longest wavelength humans can see is red. As the colors change from violet to red through the spectroscope,...
... middle of paper ...
...a spectroscope from parts included with my lab kit to visualize and analyze the spectra of several light sources. In the second part of the lab I was to build a pinhole viewer. I was to then take the pinhole viewer and measure the diameter of the sun and moon. After completing both parts of the lab, there were several questions that need addressing. This paper examined and answered those questions.
References
Ball, D. (2014). Spectrometer, Spectroscope, and Spectrograph. Retrieved from http://spie.org/x32350.xml
Cain, F. (2008). Diameter of the moon. Retrieved from http://www.universetoday.com/19677/diameter-of-the-moon/
Sharp, T. (2012). How big is the sun? Retrieved from http://www.space.com/17001-how-big-is-the-sun-size-of-the-sun.html
Sharp, T. (2012). How far is earth from the sun? Retrieved from http://www.space.com/17081-how-far-is-earth-from-the-sun.html
A spectrum is a group of light wavelengths that are ordered in relation to their wavelength length. The electromagnetic spectrum consists radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. (1)Specifically, this lab looks at the visible light part of the spectrum because one of the colors in the visible light spectrum is shine through the sample. The visible light spectrum consists of colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The color chosen to be shine through the sample is affected by the color of sample when mixed with the indicator Ammonium Vanadomolybdate (AMV). The color on the color wheel that is opposite of the solution’s color is the color that is shined through the
...nd violet wavelengths are the shortest, and violet is the least visible to the human eye. These wavelengths are scattered throughout the day and caused by a redirection of the light-waves direction due to gas molecules in the atmosphere (Mc Knight, p. 84). When the sun is setting towards the end of the day there are few blue wavelengths left and we see orange and red which are dominant and the longest wavelengths of visible light to the human eye. At the bottom of the photo (closest to the setting sun) red and orange are the dominant visible colors with the occasional blue and almost violet. If our eyes could not see orange and red our sunsets would be a dark blue or black.
High precision spectrometers such as HARPS are required to preform observations as very high signal to noise ratio. HARPS is a high resolution fiber-fed echelle spectrograph. To maximize the chance of detecting an exoplanet certain requirements have to be met by potential targets. The targets chosen to be studied by HARPS are selected from COR...
Novice stargazers are often disappointed because they cannot see the rainbow of colors that appear in celestial photos taken by the Hubble Telescope. This is because the human eye’s color sensors do not function well under low light levels.
2, Alter Dinsmore, Cleminshaw H. Clarence, Philips G John. Pictorial Astronomy. United States: Sidney Feinberg, 1963.
The most technologically advanced part about the telescope is its mirrors and optical capturing system. “The HST is a large reflecting telescope whose mirror optics gather light from c...
The history of Islam presents to the world a rich culture nothing less of innovation and finesse, one that continues to flourish even today. Islamic intellectuals and scholars have made major contributions to the advancement of the arts and sciences across the globe. A field that combines both of these aspects is the study of astronomy and in particular, the use of the astrolabe in this specific field. The Islamics have proven the astrolabe to be a work of art that shines not only in its performance but also in its aesthetics. With such versatility, this instrument has heavily influenced both religious and secular life throughout history, leaving the people of Islam an unwavering legacy for years to come.
However Spectroscopy is not a recent development, as it has been utilized for many years since Isaac Newton made the first advances in 1666. Spectroscopy is the study of light as a function of wavelength that has been emitted, reflected or scattered from a solid, liquid, or gas. Fundamentals of Spectroscopy Spectroscopy is the distribution of electromagnetic energy as a function of wavelength. Spectrum is basically white light dispersed by a prism to produce a rainbow of colours; the rainbow is the spectrum of sunlight refracted through raindrops. All objects with temperatures above absolute zero emit electromagnetic radiation by virtue of their warmth alone; this radiation is emitted at increasingly shorter wavelengths as temperature is increased.
Beginning with the most simplistic of telescopes and later creating some of the most powerful technology man has ever seen. Galileo Galilei with his simple telescope marks the beginning of the ‘astronomy age’. This sparks interest in man by assisting them in acknowledging the fact that humans really don’t know much about space. Because of this, humans begin prioritizing space exploration. By studying space with simple telescopes, man begins to feed their needs of space.
Light is what lets you experience colour. The pigment of the retina in your eyes is sensitive to different lengths of light waves which allows you to see different colours. The wavelengths of light that humans can see are called the visible colour spectrum.
In the world of fascinating sights, colors are all are found everywhere in all sorts of ways. Colors are put into categories and types depending on what one is looking at. Some categories of colors may include: value-tints/shades, complementary colors, analogous colors, cool colors, warm colors, and neutral colors. The types of colors within these categories include: primary, secondary, tertiary, complementary, analogous, active and passive colors. These types and categorizes can be seen in a circular diagram that is divided by hue, saturation, and value called, the color wheel. The color wheel consists of all colors that are within the visible spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum A basic color wheel includes: red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, and violet. As one looks cl...
Astronomy is a natural science focusing on the study of celestial objects such as moons, stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies. Astronomy is considered to be one of the oldest natural sciences; early civilizations throughout history such as the Babylonians, Egyptians and Greeks performed methodical observations of the sky. The Babylonians had different astronomical records regarding the position of the moon, sun and stars, on the other hand the Egyptians used astronomy to know the time and afterwards they developed a calendar based on the solar year. The following paper will focus on the ancient Greek astronomy, interestingly the origin of the word astronomy is Greek it comes from two words; astron meaning "star" and nemien refers to "to name". This paper will explain and highlight the methods used, famous figures and the achievements attained during the ancient Greek astronomy era.
Sir Isaac Newton found that white light is composed of all wavelengths of visible light. White light is a mixture of all the colors of the spectrum, which are: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. If we break up white light we can see the various components. A glass prism can be used to split white light into various wavelengths. This split occurs because each color in the white light has a different index of refraction. Thus, the different colors will respond differently to the glass. For example, blue light will refract more than the wavelengths corresponding to yellow, and yellow light will refract more than the wavelengths corresponding to red. This effect is called dispersion.
This telescope is the result of an international collaboration of 17 countries lead by NASA, European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency. It will help us determine the geometry of the universe and enable us to establish whether the universe will expand forever.