How does the peak wavelength of emitted light relate to the color sequence from blue (hottest) to red (coolest)?
Answer
The sequence corresponds from shortest to longest peak wavelengths visible to the eye.
The fundamental physics linking a star's color to its temperature relies on the shift of the peak wavelength of emitted light as the surface temperature changes. For very hot objects, which radiate energy across a broad spectrum, the dominant perceived color changes predictably. Specifically, the progression from the hottest blue stars down to the coolest red stars aligns perfectly with a shift from the shortest wavelengths observable by the eye (blue) toward the longest wavelengths observable by the eye (red). This relationship allows astronomers to gauge the energy output based on this spectral shift.
Related Questions
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