b) I.

I performed the experiment three time- this allowed me to eliminate any ,mistakes i had done in any of the experiments

I also compared my results to that of my peers, to ascertain my results were consistent with theirs. This allowed me to eliminate any outliers in my results to ensure they were reliable II. A stars core is like a black body producing a continuous spectra due to the nuclear fusion activity. The stars atmosphere made of gas, which then absorbs particular frequencies of the energy produced by the core (E=hf). The absorbed frequencies are denoted to the nature of the element electron orbitals (numbers of orbitals and the energy required for an electron to jump electron shells). Using a spectroscope we can then see the continuous spectra produced by the stars core but we will also see black lines which denoted to the energy absorbed by the stars atmosphere. Altogether, we will see an absorption spectra. With the nature of the dark lines we see, we can determine the chemical composition of the star. (since each element has a signature pattern of dark lines- like DNA)

I)

Achernar

The incandescent bulb is like a black body, emitting a continuous spectra, since its light is produced by a voltage across its tungsten filament. The light of the sodium vapour lamp, is produced as the sodium vapour is energized, electrons jump and fall back from energy shells releasing photons of only certain frequencies according to the energy gap between its electron shells. This is shown as an emission spectra. In the third diagram, the incandescent bulb released a continuous spectra but the sodium vapour absorbs certain frequencies of the energy and allowing every other energy to pass through it, from the incandescent bulb (E=hf). Hence, black lines can be seen on the absorption spectra produced.

Thinner mirrors as reflectors in telescopes. Makes the telescope light and easier to drives as the telescope swivel/rotates in line with the earths orbit. Adaptive Optics- A computer connected to the telescope will sense changes in air turbulence. A message from the computer will the be sent to actuators resting behind the mirror, which will then change the shape of the mirror. This allows better focusing of the lights into the mirror and helps avoid the effects of air turbulence on images created by the telescope.

The telescope is not under the disturbance of the atmosphere, hence it will be able to: Can detect more wavebands of the EM spectra because the atmosphere can absorb the radiation coming in contact with the telescope. Therefore radio astronomers have more choice in the frequencies the telescope can detect. E.g. microwaves. HALCA was placed in space in order to create a very long baseline interferometer. The use of a radio telescope in space made possible a much longer baseline than was possible using Earth-based radio telescopes and, since resolution improves with increasing baseline length, the resolution resulting from the simultaneous use of HALCA and ground-based radio telescopes was significantly better.

Infrared is absorbed by the atmosphere, therefore if it is operated at high altitudes then the atmosphere will not be able to absorb the infra-red radiation being detected at these altitudes in comparison to ground-based observations where the infra-red would have been absorbed before it reached the telescope making the results more valid. Also, at high altitudes, the telescope will not be as affected by infra-red heat produced by the earths surface. Hence, the results attain will be more valid as they will not be taking into account as much of the heat of the earths surface in comparison to ground based telescopes. Infrared radiation is absorbed as it travels through the Earths atmosphere. More infrared radiation from sources being studied can therefore be detected when it is operated from a

high-flying aircraft, providing better measurements of what is intended. Because measurements are also being made in a cooler region than on Earths surface, the measurements are less subject to interference from ground-based heat sources, again making the measurements more valid.

Trignometric parallax is used to determine the distance to nearby stars. Explain why it is not a useful techniques for more distant stars.
We use distant stars to measure the parallax on nearby stars, hence it will be difficult as we will need to find a more distant background of stars to measure the parallax of this star. Moreover, if equipment isnt sensitive enough it will not be able accurately measure the parallax as it gets smaller and smaller. Hence, it will nto be an accurate measure.