Fraunhofer lines

Fraunhofer lines are dark lines seen in the solar spectrum, caused by specific elements in the Sun’s atmosphere absorbing certain wavelengths of sunlight. When sunlight passes through these cooler, gaseous layers, some colors are absorbed at precise energies, leaving these characteristic dark lines in the spectrum. Named after the scientist Joseph Fraunhofer who studied them, these lines help astronomers identify the chemical composition of the Sun and other stars. They act like fingerprints, revealing the presence of elements such as hydrogen, helium, and metals, and providing insights into the physical conditions of stellar atmospheres.