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absorption and emmission lines from distant stars

what dictates whether we get absorption lines or emission lines?
Reply 1
Avatar for Steve93
Steve93
With stars we usually get absorption lines, with other bodies such as nebula we get emission lines. have a look here for more info:
http://www.astronomynotes.com/light/s5.htm
Reply 2
Avatar for Fleming92
Fleming92
Well that would depend on the equpment we are using to look at the stars. But absorption lines are just the negative of emmission lines, so if you have one, we can easily produce the other.

Is there anymore context to your question?
Reply 3
Avatar for acapella34
acapella34
OP
Original post by Fleming92
Well that would depend on the equpment we are using to look at the stars. But absorption lines are just the negative of emmission lines, so if you have one, we can easily produce the other.

Is there anymore context to your question?

no not really thats pretty much my question its just that my teacher was telling us we receive absorption line spectrums from stars if theres gas and dust obstructing our view of the star and emission line spectra when theres no obstruction is this true?
I think your teacher's right - the gas and dust particles would absorb some of the light, so you would get absorbtion line spectra.
Reply 5
Avatar for acapella34
acapella34
OP
thanks for all your comments guys, i think i get it now :smile:

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