Why do stars have dark lines in their spectra?
A) The cooler atoms in their surface layers absorb the radiation at some wavelengths.
B) They simply don't emit light at certain wavelengths.
C) Magnetic fields in Earth's atmosphere absorb the radiation at some wavelengths.
D) The statement is false. Stars have bright emission lines in their spectra, but no absorption lines.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dark lines, known as absorption lines, occur because cooler atoms in the star's outer layers absorb specific wavelengths of light, preventing them from reaching us.

Why Do Stars Have Dark Lines in Their Spectra