Question

What advantage do astronomers gain by studying interstellar gas and dust? What wavelengths of light are used to study these regions and why?

Answer 1

The space between the stars is not completely empty. It is filled with atomic and molecular gas (primarily hydrogen and helium) and tiny pieces of solid particles or dust (composed mainly of carbon, silicon and oxygen). Most of this interstellar gas and dust originates from the death of stars which either exploded (supernova) or blew off their outer layers, returning their material to interstellar space. From this material, new stars are formed. Studying gas and dust Astronomer can get all this information. It is important to understand the gas and dust in the interstellar medium becausre are several interaction channels between the local interstellar medium (ISM) and the solar system.

Cosmic dust was once solely an annoyance to astronomers, as it obscures objects they wish to observe. When infrared astronomy began, the dust particles were observed to be significant and vital components of astrophysical processes. Their analysis can reveal information about phenomena like the formation of the Solar System. For example, cosmic dust can drive the mass loss when a star is nearing the end of its life, play a part in the early stages of star formation, and form planets.

INFRARED IS SUITABLE TO DETECT GAS AND DUST

Dust grains absorb visible and ultraviolet light which causes them to heat up and radiate in the infrared. Using Infrared detectors, astronomers can penetrate the invisible interstellar gas and dust clouds and gain much information about their composition and structure.

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