# Astronomers detect radiation from stars across a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, not just visible light. Explain why different types of electromagnetic radiation from stars must be detected using telescopes in space rather than from the ground, and describe what the continuous spectrum of radiation from a star can tell astronomers about the star's properties.

> Eduqas A-Level Physics — 1.6 Using radiation to investigate stars · Explain · 5 marks

> Stars emit radiation across the full electromagnetic spectrum. On Earth, some of this radiation never reaches ground-based telescopes.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The Earth's atmosphere absorbs certain types of electromagnetic radiation (e.g. gamma rays, X-rays, most ultraviolet, some infrared)
2. Space-based telescopes are above the atmosphere so can detect these absorbed types of radiation
3. The peak wavelength / colour of the continuous spectrum indicates the surface temperature of the star
4. A hotter star emits peak radiation at a shorter wavelength (peak shifts towards shorter wavelengths / blue end as temperature increases)
5. The overall intensity / brightness of the continuous spectrum gives information about the luminosity or total power output of the star

## Key terms

- [continuous spectrum](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/continuous-spectrum)
- [electromagnetic spectrum](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/electromagnetic-spectrum)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/astronomers-detect-radiation-from-stars-across-0a68e1ff) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.