Astronomy Notes

Part 3: Light

John P. Pratt

Light: Wave or Particle?

Waves

The Visible Spectrum of Light

The Full Spectrum of Light

The relation of wavelength and frequency for light

Wave Properties of light

Particle Properties of light

Temperature

Thermal Radiation

Emission Lines

Absorption Lines

Molecular lines

Telescopes

Telescopes come in two varieties

Telescopes have three important features:

What to look for in a telescope

All big telescopes are reflectors

Why a pair of good 10 x 50 binoculars for $50 are better than a 100x 60 mm telescope for $100.

Astronomers usually replace visual observations with instruments.

Space Telescopes have great advantages

Radio Telescopes