Question

problem 17
how do astronomers learn what elements are present in a given star?
look at what color light dominates its continuous spectrum.
listen for coded signals in the radio waves it gives off in the fm band.
compare visible - light photographs of the star (taken with large telescopes) to those of the sun.
send spacecraft like voyager to examine its make - up from close - up.
look at the absorption lines in its spectrum.
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Explanation:

Astronomers use spectroscopy. Each element has unique absorption lines in a star's spectrum. By analyzing these lines, they can determine the elements present. Looking at the color - light dominance in the continuous spectrum gives temperature information, not element composition. Stars don't send coded signals in FM - band radio waves for element identification. Comparing visible - light photographs to the Sun doesn't directly show elements. Sending spacecraft for close - up is not a common way to identify elements in most stars due to distance.

Answer:

Look at the absorption lines in its spectrum.