How Do You See Spectral Lines in Near IR from the Sun?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on observing spectral lines in the near-infrared (IR) spectrum from the Sun using a near IR spectrometer. Participants confirm that absorption lines from hydrogen (H2) and helium (He) can be detected despite the Sun's intense heat, as these lines originate from cooler matter near the solar surface. The continuous bright background spectrum does not drown out these absorption features, allowing for clear observation.

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  • Basic principles of the Stefan-Boltzmann law
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rp895
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Hi,
Quick spectroscopy question: Say I am looking at the sun with a near IR /IR spectrometer? I know there is H2 and He in the sun, and I assume I will see their spectral lines? If true, how come I see that, and the signal is not drowned by the heat from the sun? (since it is so hot, using stefan-Boltzmann law, i can determine energy, etc etc)
Thanks
rp895
 
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The lines you will see are absorption lines (dark) from the cooler matter near the surface. The background spectrum is continuous and bright.
 

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