The spectrum of the Sun
A) is a continuous spectrum without any absorption lines.
B) would show no absorption lines if the spectrum were taken from aboard a spacecraft above Earth's atmosphere.
C) contains absorption lines due to Earth's atmosphere as well as the Sun's outer atmosphere.
D) contains many bright emission lines as well as absorption lines.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The spectrum of the Sun contains absorption lines primarily due to the gases in the Sun's outer atmosphere. While Earth's atmosphere can add some absorption features when observed from the ground, the key absorption lines in the solar spectrum are intrinsic to the Sun itself, not primarily due to Earth's atmosphere.

The Spectrum of the Sun