A Student's Guide To The Mathematics Of Astronomy -

Applying these laws requires algebra and an understanding of conic sections, allowing students to predict where a planet will be in the future or determine the mass of a distant star by observing the planets orbiting it. 4. The Physics of Light and Spectra

Much of what we know about the universe comes from light. By applying the Inverse Square Law, students can calculate how the brightness of a star fades with distance ( A Student's Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy

). Furthermore, through spectroscopy and the study of the electromagnetic spectrum, math allows us to "touch" the stars. Using Wien’s Displacement Law and the Stefan-Boltzmann Law, students can calculate a star's temperature and energy output based solely on the color and intensity of the light it emits. Conclusion Applying these laws requires algebra and an understanding