Joseph Fraunhofer

Joseph Fraunhofer was a German optical physicist and astronomer in the early 19th century, renowned for his work with light and lenses. He meticulously studied the solar spectrum and discovered dark lines, now called Fraunhofer lines, which are specific wavelengths where light is absorbed by elements in the Sun's atmosphere. These lines allow scientists to analyze the composition of stars and other celestial bodies. His contributions significantly advanced spectroscopy, the science of studying light to understand material properties, and his work laid foundational principles for modern astrophysics.