spectra
/ˈspɛktrə/
Definition
The distribution of light or electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by a substance, typically broken down into its component wavelengths or frequencies.
Etymology
The word is the plural of the Latin 'spectrum,' meaning 'appearance' or 'apparition,' which is derived from the verb 'specere,' meaning 'to look at.' It entered scientific English in the 17th century to describe the colored bands produced by passing light through a prism.
In the news
In this article, scientists analyzed the spectra of atmospheres on Pluto and Titan to detect a unique, unknown molecule. By studying these specific absorption lines, researchers were able to identify the signature of a substance that had never been seen before.
Science news this week: James Webb telescope finds a never-before-seen substance, China's 'Great Green Wall' grows faster than natural trees, and a Medici murder mystery is solved
Read the full article ↗Live Science