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Diagram caption: The spectrum of the F-type star 2MASS J22243289+4937443. The colour of the line between 400 nm and 700 nm roughly corresponds to the colour the human eye would see light of that wavelength. Below 400 nm and above 700 nm, where the human eye can see little to no light, the lines are coloured blue and red respectively.

The black lines show spectral absorption lines caused by atoms and ions of different elements in the star’s atmosphere. These atoms and ions absorb at specific wavelengths, causing sharp, dark lines in the spectra. How strong these lines are depends on the temperature of the star’s atmosphere. Two stars made from the same mix of elements could have spectra with vastly different sets of lines in their spectra if they have different temperatures in their atmospheres. The lines from hydrogen atoms that are strongest in A-type stars are still relatively strong in F-type stars but lines from metals, particularly ionised calcium begin to become strong at this spectral type.

Diagram credit: IAU OAE/SDSS/Niall Deacon.

Diagram translation status: Not yet approved by a reviewer
Created with support from: OAE Main Office

Diagram license: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) icons

Related glossary terms: F-type Star , Spectrum , Wavelength
Categories: Stars

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