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Chapter 6: Problem 41

To search for ionized oxygen gas surrounding our Milky Way Galaxy, astronomers aimed the ultraviolet telescope of the FUSE spacecraft at a distant galaxy far beyond the Milky Way. They then looked for an ultraviolet spectral line of ionized oxygen in that galaxy's spectrum. Were they looking for an emission line or an absorption line? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The astronomers were looking for an absorption line because they were observing a distant galaxy beyond the Milky Way and looking for the absorption of light frequencies associated with ionized oxygen as the light passed through any such gas surrounding the Milky Way.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Absorption and Emission Lines

Emission lines in a spectrum represent the frequencies at which a gas emits light, while absorption lines represent the frequencies at which a gas absorbs light. The light originates from a source behind the observed gas. In the context of the problem, the distant galaxy far beyond the Milky Way is the source of light.
02

Relating Scenario to Absorption and Emission Lines

Galaxy light on its way to us passed through the ionized oxygen gas the astronomers were searching for. The specific frequency matching the ionized oxygen gas would be absorbed, preventing it from reaching us. Since we are looking at light that has passed through an 'interstellar medium', the traces of absorbed light appear as dark lines in the spectrum of the observed galaxy.
03

Deducing the Type of Line

As the light from the distant galaxy passes through the ionized oxygen gas surrounding the Milky Way, if such gas is present, it would absorb some of the light. This absorption will make a dark line in the otherwise continuous spectrum observed from the distant galaxy. Hence, the astronomers would be looking for an absorption line.

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