Hunting for spectra

Students will discover some aspects of light, through the creation of a spectroscope, a fundamental instrument in astronomy. Spectroscopes allow us to study the chemical composition and physical status of the celestial bodies we observe. The spectroscope built in this activity is not like the ones used by astronomers, but it will enable us to break up the light from luminous sources in a rainbow of colours, and discover a few features of light which otherwise we could not see. It is a portable instrument, that students can use when and where they like, so as to go hunting for spectra.