- #1
kweba
- 43
- 1
Hello! We know that the sun started with about more than 70% Hydrogen and more than 20% Helium. with other metals consisting the remaining few percent. Now throughout its lifetime, this composition changes, especially with regards to the hydrogen in its core because of nuclear reactions. Correct?
So how do astronomers/astrophysicists able to do a "reading" or analysis about the sun's current chemical composition?
I learned and had read about scientists looking at the spectrum of the sun (as well as other stars), and this spectrum shows colors that represent particular elements (ie red for hydrogen), is this correct?
If so, how do they do this? Do they just take a picture of the sun or something? How can they tell what element is the most abundant and what are the other elements' percentage? And what is this kind of analysis called?
Thank you in advance and sorry for my ignorance and incorrect use of words/terms :)
So how do astronomers/astrophysicists able to do a "reading" or analysis about the sun's current chemical composition?
I learned and had read about scientists looking at the spectrum of the sun (as well as other stars), and this spectrum shows colors that represent particular elements (ie red for hydrogen), is this correct?
If so, how do they do this? Do they just take a picture of the sun or something? How can they tell what element is the most abundant and what are the other elements' percentage? And what is this kind of analysis called?
Thank you in advance and sorry for my ignorance and incorrect use of words/terms :)