Spectral analysis of starlight can tell us about:

1
Spectral analysis of starlight can tell us about
composition (by matching spectra). temperature
(compare to blackbody curve). (line-of-sight)
velocity (Doppler shift or red shift).
objects rotation rate (broadening of spectral
lines). pressure of the gas (broadening of
spectral lines). magnetic field (splitting of
lines into two lines).
2
The Solar Spectrum has dark absorption lines that
can be compared to known lines from gases in the
laboratory. This can be used to determine the
composition of the Sun.
3
The Doppler Effect occurs when a source of sound
(or light) is in motion relative to an observer
4
Doppler Effect for a moving source. Simulations
show this more clearly (link). If the source
moves faster than the speed of sound, shock
waves are created. (link1 link2)
5
Doppler Shift of spectral lines can be used to
measure a stars velocity toward or away from us
Look in detail at the red line on the next slide.
6
Doppler Shift of H-alpha spectral line for
hydrogen in a cloud of hydrogen gas that is
receding from us at 320 km/s. This is called a
red shift since the line moves more to the red
end of the spectrum (longer wavelength).