Swan bands are a characteristic of the
spectra
Spectra may refer to:
* The plural of spectrum, conditions or values that vary over a continuum, especially the colours of visible light
* ''Spectra'' (journal), of the Museum Computer Network (MCN)
* The plural of spectrum (topology), an object ...
of
carbon star
A carbon star (C-type star) is typically an asymptotic giant branch star, a luminous red giant, whose atmosphere contains more carbon than oxygen. The two elements combine in the upper layers of the star, forming carbon monoxide, which consumes mo ...
s,
comets
A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, a process that is called outgassing. This produces a visible atmosphere or coma, and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena ...
and of burning
hydrocarbon
In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons are examples of group 14 hydrides. Hydrocarbons are generally colourless and hydrophobic, and their odors are usually weak or ...
fuels. They are named for the Scottish physicist
William Swan, who first studied the spectral analysis of radical
diatomic carbon
Diatomic carbon (systematically named dicarbon and 1λ2,2λ2-ethene), is a green, gaseous inorganic chemical with the chemical formula C=C (also written 2or C2). It is kinetically unstable at ambient temperature and pressure, being removed throug ...
(C
2) in 1856.
Swan bands consist of several sequences of vibrational bands scattered throughout the visible spectrum.
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]
See also
*
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the field of study that measures and interprets the electromagnetic spectra that result from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter as a function of the wavelength or frequency of the radiation. Matter ...
References
Emission spectroscopy
Fire
Astronomical spectroscopy
Astrochemistry
Carbon
{{Spectroscopy-stub