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What instrument does an astronomer use to determine the spectrum of a star?

1. What instrument does an astronomer use to determine the spectrum of a star?
2. Why is using this instrument better than using only a telescope to view the spectrum?

HELP !!!??
* Best answer.

1. A spectrograph.

2. Because a telescope by itself does not show you the spectrum of the received light. If you attach a colour CCD you will be able to get three very coarse readings over different bands but nothing that could be called a spectrum.

2 Responses to “What instrument does an astronomer use to determine the spectrum of a star?”

  1. Andrew S says:

    1. A spectrograph.

    2. Because a telescope by itself does not show you the spectrum of the received light. If you attach a colour CCD you will be able to get three very coarse readings over different bands but nothing that could be called a spectrum.
    References :

  2. sausage wallet says:

    A ’spectrometer’ or a ‘monochromator’, are the most common and easiest devise for this purpose. That is because a telescope will not generally use diffraction grating.
    References :

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January 23rd, 2010

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