🪐intro to astronomy review

key term - Light

Definition

Light is electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the human eye. It behaves both as a wave and as a particle, known as photons.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Light travels at approximately 299,792 kilometers per second in a vacuum.
  2. The visible spectrum of light ranges from about 400 nm to 700 nm in wavelength.
  3. Light can be dispersed into its component colors by passing through a prism, creating a spectrum.
  4. The Doppler effect causes the redshift or blueshift of light depending on the relative motion of the source and observer.
  5. Spectroscopy allows astronomers to determine the composition, temperature, density, and motion of celestial objects by analyzing their light spectra.

Review Questions

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