ScienceJune 30, 2026

spectrometer

/spɛkˈtrɒmɪtər/

Definition

An instrument used to measure the intensity or properties of light or other electromagnetic radiation, often used to identify the composition of materials.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'spectrum' (appearance or image) and the Greek 'metron' (measure). It entered English in the 19th century as a technical term for devices designed to measure spectral properties.

In the news

The article mentions an imaging spectrometer (AVIRIS) as a technological tool used to map surface and aboveground carbon in desert environments. It is highlighted here as an essential sensor for gathering environmental data from space.

New Cohort of KISS Study Programs Push the Frontiers of Space Exploration

Read the full article ↗

Caltech

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