Sun Emission Spectrum: Redshift/Blueshift & Visible Light

In summary, the rather continuous spectrum of the Sun is not solely due to redshift/blueshift of radiation, but also from other processes such as interatomic collisions and thermal motion of atoms. The emission spectrum of Hydrogen in the visible range is quantized, but other frequencies of visible light are available due to the wide spectrum of energies and accelerations present at a single temperature. The sun can be treated as a blackbody, emitting radiation following the blackbody spectrum, and definite lines can be seen in the solar spectrum. These lines correspond to specific energy levels of Solar Hydrogen Spectral Lines, with the most common one being 1.89 eVolt. Other photon energies are also generated due to the movement of hydrogen atoms on the
  • #1
Entangled
1
0
Is the rather continuous spectrum of the Sun due to redshift/blueshift of the radiation emenating from the Sun? I understand that the emission spectrum of Hydrogen in the visible range is quantized to four discrete values, but I'm trying to understand how all frequencies of visible light are available for us to use.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Light is produced in many ways besides the excitation of individual atomic spectral lines. For example it can be produced when atoms collide. Quoting Wikipedia,

When the temperature of the body is greater than absolute zero, interatomic collisions cause the kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules to change. This results in charge-acceleration and/or dipole oscillation which produces electromagnetic radiation, and the wide spectrum of radiation reflects the wide spectrum of energies and accelerations that occur even at a single temperature.
 
  • #3
The sun can be treated as a blackbody ... it is a very hot body, and thus emits radiation following the blackbody spectrum.

You can see definite lines in the solar spectrum; these are well explained here:
http://www.astro.washington.edu/courses/labs/clearinghouse/labs/Solarspec2/sunspec.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #4
NIST data (http://www.nist.gov/pml/data/asd.cfm) give Solar Hydrogen Spectral Lines intensity in terms of energy: 250,000@12.09eV, 840,000@10.20eV, 90,000@2.86eV, 180,000@2.55, 500,000@1.89eV. The 1.89 eVolt energy is the most common one we can see.

We see all sorts of other photon energies that are generated since the hydrogen on the sun surface is moving around. If the hydrogen atom is moving away from us, we will see a photon with less than 1.89eV (red shifted), if moving towards us, it will have more than 1.89eV energy (blue shifted)
 
  • #5
edguy99 said:
We see all sorts of other photon energies that are generated since the hydrogen on the sun surface is moving around. If the hydrogen atom is moving away from us, we will see a photon with less than 1.89eV (red shifted), if moving towards us, it will have more than 1.89eV energy (blue shifted)
No. As pointed out above, this is absolutely not the explanation. Doppler broadening of the spectral lines is present, but much too small to produce a continuous spectrum. And the majority of the photons are produced in other ways, simply from the thermal motion of the atoms.
 
Last edited:
  • #6
Bill_K said:
... much too small to produce a continuous spectrum. And the majority of the photons are produced in other ways, simply from the thermal motion of the atoms.

Thank you for the correction, I agree the thermal motion is the most important.
 

1. What is the Sun's emission spectrum?

The Sun's emission spectrum refers to the range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun. It includes all types of radiation, such as visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet. The spectrum is unique to the Sun and can be used to study its composition and temperature.

2. What causes the redshift and blueshift in the Sun's emission spectrum?

The redshift and blueshift in the Sun's emission spectrum are caused by the Doppler effect. This effect occurs when an object is moving towards or away from an observer, causing a change in the observed wavelength of light. When the Sun is moving away from us, its light appears to be shifted towards the red end of the spectrum, known as redshift. When it is moving towards us, the light is shifted towards the blue end of the spectrum, known as blueshift.

3. How does the redshift/blueshift in the Sun's emission spectrum provide information about the Sun's motion?

The amount of redshift/blueshift in the Sun's emission spectrum can be used to determine the speed and direction of the Sun's motion. This is possible because the larger the redshift/blueshift, the faster the object is moving. By analyzing the shifts in the emission spectrum, scientists can track the Sun's motion through space.

4. How does visible light play a role in the Sun's emission spectrum?

Visible light is a part of the Sun's emission spectrum and makes up a small portion of the total range of wavelengths. The visible light emitted by the Sun is what we see as sunlight. It is also important in studying the Sun's composition, as different elements in the Sun's atmosphere emit light at different wavelengths, creating a unique fingerprint in the spectrum.

5. What can we learn about the Sun's atmosphere from its emission spectrum?

The Sun's emission spectrum can provide valuable information about the composition and temperature of its atmosphere. By analyzing the spectrum, scientists can identify the elements present in the Sun and their relative abundance. They can also determine the temperature of the Sun's outer layers by studying the intensity of different wavelengths of light in the spectrum.

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
23
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
966
Replies
1
Views
802
Replies
29
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
1K
Back
Top