Astronomical spectroscopy

Abstract The basic principles of astronomical spectroscopy are introduced and the main types of dispersing element surveyed. The principles behind two modem spectroscopic techniques, multiple object and integral held spectroscopy, are also discussed. 

Keywords Astronomical spectroscopy, multiobject spectroscopy, integral field spectroscopy,... 

For a historical survey of stellar abundance analysis, see J.B. Hearnshaw, The Analysis of Starlight One Hundred and Fifty Years of Astronomical Spectroscopy (Cambridge,... 

Vrtilek, J.M. Gottlieb, C.A. Thaddeus, P. Laboratory and astronomical spectroscopy of C3H2, the first interstellar organic ring. Astrophys. J. 1987, 314, 110-125,. 

Currently, quantum mechanics provides the most complete theoretical understanding of spectroscopy and the information that spectroscopic analysis yields. Quantum theory predicts a discrete set of energy levels for particles, and, therefore, the reflection, transmission and absorption characteristics of a sample can be compared to the characteristics of known materials over a spectrum of wavelengths, thus providing a means of identification of a sample. Since spectroscopy could, conceivably, cover a vast number of methods of analysis, the particular kinds of information that can be acquired through the use of spectroscopic analysis is best illustrated by way of several examples. Astronomical spectroscopy... 

The use of so-called astronomical spectroscopy yields data related to the composition of celestial objects. Since different materials have different emission spectra, a comparison of the light (or other particles) emitted from stars, nebulae or galaxies, for example, with the light emitted from known materials provides a basis for determining the atomic or chemical make-up of these objects. In this case, no illuminating beam is required this form of spectroscopy is, in this sense, passive. 

S. Jeffers, W. Weller Image intensifier optical multichannel analyser for astronomical spectroscopy . In Adv. Electronics and Electron Phys. B 40 (Academic, New York 1976) p.887... 

Astronomical spectroscopy is a method that astronomers use to determine the elemental composition of fer-away celestial bodies that cannot be sampled in a laboratory. These bodies emit electromagnetic radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum however, each element absorbs several characteristic wravelengths of light. So, by measuring... 

Robinson, Keith. Spectroscopy The Key to the Stars— Reading the Lines in Stellar Spectra. New York Springer-Verlag, 2007. Presents information on astronomical spectroscopy in a nontechnical manner. 

S. Jeffers, W. Weller "Image Intensifier Optical Multichannel Analyzer for Astronomical Spectroscopy", in Advances in Electronics of Electron Physics Vol. 40 B (Academic Press, New York 1976) p. 887 ff... 

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