The Sun s spectrum is a continuous spectrum except for dark lines once in a while. These absorption lines make up the absorption spectrum and are due to the interaction of light with chemical elements in the Sun s atmosphere. Other spectra can consist of colored lines characteristic of specific elements, emission spectra , which can be duplicated and identified with lab experiments. Using spectra, researchers identify chemical elements in stars or gas clouds in space. The Electromagnetic Spectrum Visible light is an electromagnetic wave , electric and magnetic fields interacting in space.
Visible light is only a small portion of the complete Electromagnetic Spectrum .
The atmosphere of the Earth lets visible light through easily but blocks other portions of the spectrum, atmospheric absorption .