Exploring Objects Beyond Earth
Learning Objective
I can describe how scientists use evidence to learn about objects beyond Earth.
Key Concepts
Although astronomy is purely observational, we can learn about stars by studying the light that they emit.
By turning starlight into rainbows, scientists can identify dark lines that reveal the elements present in a star's atmosphere and their concentrations.
Astrophysicists use telescopes to study different wavelengths of light, including radio waves, infrared light, and ultraviolet light, to gain a more complete picture of the universe.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 10 practice questions to reinforce learning.
View questions preview
1. Why is astronomy considered an observational science?
2. What can scientists learn from analyzing the light emitted by stars?
3. What are the dark lines observed in the spectral rainbow of sunlight, and what do they indicate?
...and 7 more questions
Educational Video
How do we study the stars? - Yuan-Sen Ting
TED-Ed