#AstroMiniBR: chemical composition of celestial bodies!

Every week, TecMundo and #AstroMiniBR bring together the most interesting astronomical curiosities produced by the team’s collaborators. Twitter profile To spread the knowledge of astronomy, the oldest science. See below!

#1: How is it possible to know the chemical composition of a star?

When we talk about discovering celestial objects in the universe, spectroscopy appears as a fundamental tool. By decomposing the light coming from these objects into their spectral components, scientists can closely analyze absorption and emission lines, which serve as unique “signatures” of chemical elements.

Each substance has a characteristic pattern in the spectrum, making it possible to precisely identify the elements found in stars, galaxies and nebulae. This methodology not only reveals the presence of known elements in specific concentrations, but also but it also led to the discovery of previously unknown elements.

In this way, spectroscopy reveals the chemical wealth of the cosmos, allowing astronomers to unravel mysteries of the formation and evolution of structures. Moreover, spectroscopy is not only limited to identifying elements, but also provides important information about the temperature, density and speed of celestial objects.

For example, the redshift observed in the spectral lines makes it possible to calculate the radial velocities of stars, providing information about the motion and distribution of stars in space.

#2: What happens to our planet during the equinox?

The image of our planet below is a good indication of what happens to Earth on the day of the equinox! Equinoxes are notable astronomical events that occur twice a year when the Earth’s equatorial plane passes through the center of the Sun.. This marks the time when nights and days are approximately the same length across the planet.

During the equinox, which occurs around March 21 and September 21, the Earth’s axial tilt does not favor either hemisphere, causing sunlight to be distributed evenly. Therefore, on equinox days, the sun’s rays fall directly on the equator, illuminating both hemispheres equally.

This uniform distribution of light is responsible for the transition between seasons and marks the beginning of spring or autumn, depending on your location on the planet. As we move beyond the equinox, Earth’s axial tilt begins to favor one hemisphere over the other, causing seasonal changes in the lengths of day and night.

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#3: What are astronomical conjunctions?

in astronomy, The moment when two or more celestial objects appear to be approaching each other in the sky when viewed from Earth is called conjunction.. These phenomena, although often merely an illusion of visual proximity, provide fascinating study and appreciation opportunities for astronomers and enthusiasts.

A common example of a conjunction is when planets or stars in our solar system appear to be aligned or passing close together in their orbits. Visible with the naked eye or with the help of telescopes, these events provide a unique celestial view that allows direct evaluation of the complex dynamics of space and the gravitational relationships between celestial bodies.

These events not only increase public curiosity but also serve as extraordinary windows into deeper scientific research. Emphasizing the close connection between classical sky observation and the progress of modern astronomy.

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