The chemical makeup of a star's surface is usually inferred by
A) theoretical methods, considering evolution of the star.
B) spectroscopy of the light emitted by the star.
C) measuring the chemical elements present in the solar wind.
D) taking a sample of the star's surface with a space probe.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Spectroscopy of the light emitted by the star is the primary method used to infer the chemical makeup of a star's surface. This technique analyzes the spectrum of light from the star to identify the characteristic lines of different elements, allowing astronomers to determine the composition of the star's atmosphere.

The Chemical Makeup of a Star's Surface Is Usually Inferred