Stars and their spectra
In this workshop, students (Key Stage 4 and beyond) will work on the topic of spectroscopy that made astronomy become astrophysics, experience the universality of scientific laws and become aware of the women in science agenda. They will develop their knowledge of how light can be separated into different colours creating a spectrum. It also includes how elements leave their fingerprint in spectra.
Students will observe the spectra of the Sun and compare it to those obtained from a spectrum of a standard fluorescent lamp; this will enable students to experience both emission and absorption lines. Both of these types of lines are used to collect information in astronomy. During the workshop participants will learn about how we can use spectra to measure the temperature of a star that is light-years away. Using data obtained at the NTU observatory temperature of some stars will be determined.
