spectrograph

noun

spec·​tro·​graph ˈspek-t(r)ə-ˌgraf How to pronounce spectrograph (audio)
: an instrument for dispersing radiation (such as electromagnetic radiation or sound waves) into a spectrum and recording or mapping the spectrum
spectrographic adjective
spectrographically adverb
spectrography noun

Examples of spectrograph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One of the new instrument’s primary goals will be to use a spectrograph to break up the light from these distant worlds into a spectrum, which can then be analyzed for specific signals associated with certain chemicals in the planet’s atmosphere. Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024 But the Astrophysics team also has ALICE, a low-power imaging spectrograph, which the researchers are using to go after the cosmic UV background. Diane Hope, Ars Technica, 12 Dec. 2023 So the team used the integral field spectrograph at the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii to take a closer look at ORC 4, the first radio circle observable from the Northern Hemisphere. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2024 Juno is also equipped with a handful of other scientific instruments, including an energetic particle detector, an ultraviolet imaging spectrograph and a microwave radiometer. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024 Since then, ground controllers have carefully calibrated the observatory's two instruments—a 600-megapixel visible light camera and a 64-megapixel near-infrared spectrograph and photometer. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023 At that distance, Clipper’s magnetometer will be able to measure the depth and salinity of the moon’s ocean; its mass spectrometer will study the ocean’s chemical makeup; and its ultraviolet spectrograph will search for plumes of water vapor escaping through the icy shell. Gina Errico, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 This device has a camera and a spectrograph, and observes a kind of light from distant galaxies, coalescing stars, comets and objects in the Kuiper Belt. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2023 The fibers send light from the object to the spectrograph. Alison Klesman, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spectrograph.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectrograph was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near spectrograph

Cite this Entry

“Spectrograph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectrograph. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spectrograph

noun
spec·​tro·​graph ˈspek-t(r)ə-ˌgraf How to pronounce spectrograph (audio)
: an instrument for spreading radiation (as of light or sound) into a spectrum and photographing or mapping the spectrum

Medical Definition

spectrograph

noun
spec·​tro·​graph -ˌgraf How to pronounce spectrograph (audio)
: an instrument for dispersing radiation (as electromagnetic radiation or sound waves) into a spectrum and photographing or mapping the spectrum
spectrographic adjective
spectrographically adverb
spectrography noun
plural spectrographies

More from Merriam-Webster on spectrograph

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