”Finding What We Can’t See: Using Absorption Line Spectroscopy” by Cody Dirks and Bonnie Weiberg

Edited by Kyle Thompson

This activity is intended to show how astronomers are able to study the gas and dust (collectively called the interstellar medium, or ISM) present in the Galaxy using absorption line spectroscopy. The main learning tool is a NetLogo simulation that allows students to interactively place gas and dust, and the program simulates a spectrum in real time based on properties of the ISM. This activity utilizes concepts students typically learn during units on astronomy and electromagnetic waves,