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Lightcurves, Spectra, and Images

Try this!

Look at the following pictures and graphs.

A.

wavelength vs. intensity for Spica, the Sun, and Antares

B.

flux vs. RXTE mission day

The grey points and line indicate the average flux.

C.

Hydra A

Answer the following questions based on the above graphs and picture.

  1. Which of the above is a light curve?



  2. Which of the above used the Chandra X-ray Observatory in order to gather the data?



  3. In graph A, what is the highest intensity recorded?



  4. In graph B, what is the average flux, in counts/sec/SSC, at day 3116?



  5. Graph A uses what units for its measurement of wavelength?



This activity was developed by Kim Cochrane, Bowie High School, Bowie Maryland.

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