answersLogoWhite

0

When stars form in the present Milky Way galaxy they are composed of about 71% hydrogen and 27% helium,[87] as measured by mass, with a small fraction of heavier elements. Typically the portion of heavy elements is measured in terms of the iron content of the stellar atmosphere, as iron is a common element and its absorption lines are relatively easy to measure. Because the molecular clouds where stars form are steadily enriched by heavier elements from supernovae explosions, a measurement of the chemical composition of a star can be used to infer its age.[88] The portion of heavier elements may also be an indicator of the likelihood that the star has a planetary system.[89]

The star with the lowest iron content ever measured is the dwarf HE1327-2326, with only 1/200,000th the iron content of the Sun.[90] By contrast, the super-metal-rich star μ Leonis has nearly double the abundance of iron as the Sun, while the planet-bearing star 14 Herculis has nearly triple the iron.[91] There also exist chemically peculiar stars that show unusual abundances of certain elements in their spectrum; especially chromium and rare earth elements

Edit : That's interesting, but it doesn't answer the question. The answer is that

the star and the Sun must have the same chemical elements in their "atmospheres".

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Astronomy

What can be said about the star composition if the spectrum of a star shows the same absorption lines as the sun?

If the spectrum of a star shows the same absorption lines as the sun than you know that the star has the same composition as the sun. This means that the star is made of the same elements as the sun.


When a star's spectrum shows dark lines against a continuous background what does this indicate?

Dark lines in a star's spectrum indicate absorption lines, which are caused by elements in the star's atmosphere absorbing specific wavelengths of light. These lines provide information about the composition and temperature of the star.


Why is the suns spectrum and the moon's spectrum the same?

The sun and the moon's spectra are not the same. The Sun's spectrum shows continuous radiation across a range of wavelengths due to its high temperature, while the moon's spectrum shows reflected sunlight with absorption lines due to its lack of inherent light source. They have different compositions and physical properties affecting their spectra.


Which physical property of a star does the spectral type measure?

The spectral type of a star measures its surface temperature. This information is derived from the star's spectrum, which shows the distribution of light emitted at different wavelengths. Stars are classified into different spectral types, such as O, B, A, F, G, K, and M, based on their surface temperature and the dominant absorption lines in their spectra.


What is the spectrum of Betelgeuse?

The spectrum of Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star in the constellation Orion, is characterized by strong absorption lines indicative of its cooler temperature, which is around 3,500 Kelvin. Its spectrum shows prominent features of elements such as hydrogen, calcium, and titanium, along with molecular bands from titanium oxide (TiO) that contribute to its reddish color. Additionally, Betelgeuse's spectrum reveals signs of variability, likely due to pulsations and mass loss, which can affect the absorption features over time. Overall, the spectrum reflects its classification as a M-type star with distinct characteristics typical of late-type stars.

Related Questions

What can be said about the star composition if the spectrum of a star shows the same absorption lines as the sun?

If the spectrum of a star shows the same absorption lines as the sun than you know that the star has the same composition as the sun. This means that the star is made of the same elements as the sun.


What are some comparisons with a absorption spectrum and a continuous spectrum?

An absorption spectrum shows dark lines at specific wavelengths where light has been absorbed by a substance. A continuous spectrum shows all colors/wavelengths with no gaps, like the rainbow. The main difference is that the absorption spectrum has specific dark lines while the continuous spectrum is smooth and uninterrupted.


When a star's spectrum shows dark lines against a continuous background what does this indicate?

Dark lines in a star's spectrum indicate absorption lines, which are caused by elements in the star's atmosphere absorbing specific wavelengths of light. These lines provide information about the composition and temperature of the star.


How is a star simmular to the Sun if it has the same absorption lines in its spectrum that occur in the Sun's spectrum?

because they will have the same elements in the atmosphere...


What can be determined by studying a solar spectrum?

Dark lines of the absorption spectrum give the elemental composition of the chromosphere, information about the magnetic field and density of the surface. The peak of the continuous spectrum gives the surface temperature. The Doppler Effect shows the movement of the sun and the sun's surface. Splitting of spectral lines verifies the magnetism of sunspots.


What does the absorption spectrum show us or tell us?

The absorption spectrum shows the specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed by a material, indicating the energy levels of electrons in the substance. By analyzing the absorption spectrum, scientists can identify the chemical composition of the material and understand its electronic structure.


What does the absorption spectrum of an atom show?

The absorption spectrum of an atom shows that the atom emits that spectrum which it absorbs.


What is the absorption spectrum of a given wavelength of light?

The absorption spectrum shows the wavelengths of light that are absorbed by a substance. Each substance has a unique absorption spectrum due to its molecular structure and composition. The absorption spectrum is determined by measuring the amount of light absorbed at different wavelengths.


How can you Distinguish absorption spectrum from emission spectrum?

Emission spectra are bright-line spectra, absorption spectra are dark-line spectra. That is: an emission spectrum is a series of bright lines on a dark background. An absorption spectrum is a series of dark lines on a normal spectrum (rainbow) background.


What is the difference between absorption and emission spectrum?

Emission spectrum: lines emitted from an atom.Absorption spectrum: absorbed wavelengths of a molecule.


What is an absorbtion spectrum?

An absorption spectrum is a graphical representation of how a substance absorbs light at different wavelengths. It shows the pattern of absorption as peaks and valleys, indicating the specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed by the substance. This can reveal information about the substance's composition and structure.


How absorption spectrum is obtained?

An absorption spectrum is obtained by passing light through a material and measuring the amount of light absorbed at each wavelength. The absorption spectrum shows the absorption of light by the material at different wavelengths, providing information on the electronic structure and composition of the material. This technique is commonly used in various fields such as chemistry, physics, and biology to study the properties of different substances.