lab06
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School
Durham Technical Community College *
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Course
AST 151
Subject
Astronomy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by CorporalFogHummingbird29
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Bright Objects
Table 1
Wavelength
Temperature
Wavelength
(nm)
Region of
Spectrum
Kelvin
Fahrenheit
Sirius A
293
Ultraviolet-
Infrared
9900
17360.33
Sun
500
Ultraviolet-
Infrared
5800
9980.33
Light Bulb
966
Visible-Infrared
3000
4940.33
Human Vision
Shortest wavelength: nm 383
Longest wavelength: nm 777
Questions
1)
Which two of the three objects in Table 1 have their peak intensity outside the visible
part of the spectrum?
Answer
: Sirius A and the Sun
2)
We can see all three objects clearly in the visible part of the spectrum, even though the peak intensity might lie outside that region. Why is this so?
Answer
: They release light at different times from peak to peak, so we can see more than just their peak.
3)
How is the wavelength of the most intense emission related to surface temperature?
Answer
: The peak point leans further toward ultraviolet wavelengths at increasing temperatures.
4)
At what wavelength does the Sun emit its most intense radiation? The Sun usually appears yellow to the human eye. What is the wavelength for yellow light? Are these the same or not? How is this related to the normal limits of human vision?
Answer
: Its maximum wavelength is 500 nm, which resembles bright seafoam green on
the visible light graph. At 566 nm, yellow starts, and ends at 606 nm. So it is not the same.
5)
Astronomers searching for planets orbiting other stars are particularly interested in finding Earthlike planets in the habitable zone around stars, where liquid water could
theoretically exist. What are major problems astronomers face in observing such planets directly?
Answer
: While we are unable to find life on Earth-sized planets or identify what is on their surfaces, we are able to identify the elements of their atmospheres and determine whether they are livable as well.
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