Atomic Structure and Stellar Spectra

Abstract

It may seem, owing to the stars’ great distances that it is practically impossible to find out what is happening deep in their interiors or even in their outer atmospheres. However, the very high temperatures in stellar interiors make it easier to analyze their structures than to study the internal structure of Earth. We use what Eddington called an “intellectual boring machine” that metaphorically dredges up material from the deep interior of a star and subjects it to the analysis afforded by our knowledge of the physical laws that apply to such material. If we deduce the behavior of such material in this way, and are then led by these deductions to the correct properties of the observed radiation emitted by the star, we know that we are on the right track.

When the morning stars sang together,

And all the sons of God shouted for joy.

—Job 38:17