Project Star Spectrometer

Plastic Spectrometers - PS14
£ POA

Bulk Order (10) - £ POA

Plastic or cardboard
Spectrometers




This heavy-duty, durable plastic spectrometer comes completely assembled and includes a 10-page activity booklet.

“One of the very best, affordable scientific instruments.” - Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

Scroll down the page to see examples of what can be observed with these Spectrometers.


The hand held Project Star Spectrometer is an easy to use teaching aid that produces a clear spectrum for study for students or for the scientifically minded. With the spectrometer's slit aimed at a light source the student simply has to look through the fixed focus eyepiece to see the spectrum that appears to be projected onto a readable scale of electron volts and nanometers. See examples below. The scaling which can be accurately calibrated allows serious studies to be undertaken comparing the different qualities of light sources as diverse from televisions screen to that of the Sun. Depending upon the light source, light or dark lines embedded vertically upon the spectrum indicate the presence of chemical elements. By reading the position of these lines with the information printed on the spectrometer it is possible to determine the chemicals present in the light source.

The history and study of spectroscopy is fascinating. It's application in astronomy is in part responsible for our present understanding of the cosmos, from the chemistry of the stars to the expansion of the Universe. In industry spectroscopy determines the strength of steel produced in foundries.

The Plastic Spectrometer is made from high impact resistant moulded plastic and is supplied assembled for use. A ten page illustrated booklet suggests activities and experiments. The Cardboard Spectrometer kit is supplied in packs of tens with instructions for self assembly and use.

Below are examples of what can be seen with either spectrometer. These images were made by Rob Brown and I am grateful for his premission to reproduce them. Further information can be found at :-

http://home.comcast.net/~mcculloch-brown/astro/spectrostar.html

Incandescent light source


High Pressure Sodium light source

Low Pressure Sodium light source

High Pressure Mercury light source


Fluorescent (GE) light source


Sunlight reflected from clouds

An alternative version of the hand held spectrometer can supplied in cardboard and polystyrene.
They come in kit form and require assembly. Available only in quantities of ten.

 

  

Cardboard Spectrometer Kit - PS14 - Kits of 10 - £ POA

Now your students can see the absorption lines in the sun's spectrum, the spectra of energized elements in gaseous states and the double yellow line of mercury vapor in the spectrum of a fluorescent lamp. Light pollution can be studied by checking yellow street lights to see if they are high- or low-pressure sodium lamps. The spectrometer comes with a strip of film and a scale from which a color may be identified by wavelength in nanometers or photon energy in electron volts. The activities include: observing what diffraction grating does, calibrating the spectrometer and identifying various light sources and spectra of gaseous elements.