Black lines on a spectrum produced by a spectroscope indicate absorption lines. These lines represent specific wavelengths of light that have been absorbed by a gas or medium when light passes through it. Each element absorbs light at characteristic wavelengths, so the appearance of black lines corresponds to the specific energy levels of electrons in the atoms of the absorbing substance.
When a continuous spectrum of light (such as white light) passes through a cooler gas, the atoms in the gas absorb certain wavelengths of that light, resulting in the dark lines on the otherwise continuous spectrum. This phenomenon is known as absorption spectroscopy and is used for identifying the composition of stars, gases, and other materials based on their unique spectral fingerprints.
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