6. Beyond the Rainbow: Introducing Spectroscopy
Learners learn to interpret the spectra of reflected light from various objects.
Guiding Question
Activity TimingSetup: Prep Time 50 min
- At least two days ahead, create tactile spectra graphs and allow them to dry.
- Determine how learners will access audio files.
*See Materials & Preparation in the Educator Guide linked above for full info.
21st Century Skills
- Critical Thinking
Science Practices
- Analyzing & Interpreting Data
Learners Will Do
- Interpret spectra to identify different materials.
Learners Will Know
- Spectroscopy measures how much light of different colors (both visible and invisible) is coming from a material.
Connecting Across Activities
- Activity 5: Exploring Topography on Mars: Last time, learners interpreted topographic maps of Mars to locate interesting landforms and to determine the safest place for a rover to land. These maps are the second set of data they will use to choose a landing site.
- Activity 6: Introducing Spectroscopy: Today, learners learn how to interpret spectra of light from various objects, which will later help them identify minerals from a distance.
- Activity 7: Using Spectroscopy to Understand Mars: Next time, they will interpret spectra to identify minerals at each of the different landing sites. These graphs are the third set of data they will use to choose a landing site.
Related Videos
Level Up!
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Tell learners that many planets and moons are exposed to gamma rays and other types of radiation, or light energy from the Sun, that would be hazardous to humans. But just as we can learn information from visible and infrared data, we can learn things from gamma ray and x-ray data. The Mars Odyssey GRS (Gamma Ray Spectrometer) instrument detects gamma rays and other types of radiation to learn about the chemistry of the surface of Mars. The Radiation Assessment Detector on the Curiosity rover on Mars monitors radiation from space and will let us know how much shielding from radiation future Mars astronauts will need to be protected. (<5 min.)
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If time permits, allow learners to explore electromagnetic radiation through experience with prisms or heat lamps and explore how wavelength and frequency change based on the amount of energy put into a system using Slinkys. (20 min.)
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Learners may also view the NASA Science Activation Network’s e Clips videos that talk about and use the electromagnetic spectrum. Based on your group, consider replacing or adding to the above explanation with the video Using Light to Find Out What Things are Made of (Spectroscopy). (5 min.)
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Support understanding of spectrometers by having learners build their own spectrometers or explore resources about spectrometers before introducing the term spectrometer.
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This unit’s Engineering Pathway Activities (PDF) challenge learners to design technologies similar to spectrometers that will help scientists distinguish between different materials.
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To help learners understand what they will be doing next, show the translatable video RS Science How To (from 1:08).
