• Surface temperature can be obtained by observing the dominant wavelengths of a star’s spectrum and comparing this to a black body.
• The type and intensity of absorption spectrum can also indicate surface temperature.
• Translational velocity can be determined by the Doppler effect, i.e. red and blue shifts.
• Red shift indicates travelling away, while blue shift indicates travelling towards observer (BTRA – Buy Two Red Apples).
• Rotational velocity can be determined by both red and blue shifts of the opposite sides of a rotating body, which results in the broadening of spectral lines.
• Density can be inferred from pressure.
• Pressure is determined by examining width of spectral lines.
  • Low pressures – sharp.
  • High pressures – broad.
• Chemical composition can be determined by comparing absorption spectrum with known absorption and emission spectrum of elements, ions, and molecules on Earth.

Extract from Physics Stage 6 Syllabus © 2017 NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)