History of discovery
The History of Spectroscopy
How splitting starlight into its colours revealed what the stars are made of — the dark lines in the spectrum betraying the elements present. It was the birth of astrophysics, the moment astronomy became not just where and when but what and how.
Highlights
- ›The birth of astrophysics
Astronomers, eras & methods
Knowledge connections
- Associated withSpectroscopy
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.