spectrograph

noun spec·tro·graph \ ˈspek-t(r)ə-ˌgraf \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of spectrograph

: an instrument for dispersing radiation (such as electromagnetic radiation or sound waves) into a spectrum and recording or mapping the spectrum

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spectrographic

play \ˌspek-t(r)ə-ˈgra-fik\ adjective

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spectrographically

play \ˌspek-t(r)ə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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spectrography

play \spek-ˈträ-grə-fē\ noun

See spectrograph defined for kids

Recent Examples of spectrograph from the Web

So, a relativistic camera would naturally serve as a spectrograph, allowing researchers to look at an intrinsically redder band of light.

— Scientific American, "Astronomy at the Speed of Light," 3 July 2018
Imaging with a spectrograph provided evidence of water at the Martian surface in the region, reinforcing the idea that this could be ice.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Large sheets of ice may have been spotted on Mars," 11 Jan. 2018
Researchers working with a project called Galactic Archaeology used a spectrograph at the Australian Astronomical Observatory to analyze the chemical composition of 340,000 stars.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Are Searching For Our Sun's Stellar Siblings," 23 Apr. 2018
And of course the scientists would all go and set up telescopes and spectrographs.

— Popular Mechanics, "The Asteroid Hunters," 11 Nov. 2015
The instrument weighs 80 pounds, has an imaging spectrograph that measures light wavelength intensity.

— richard tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NASA hitches ride on commercial satellite for UCF-led atmosphere study," 26 Jan. 2018
As an integral field spectrograph, HARMONI will be capable of capturing 4,000 images simultaneously.

— dyllan furness, Fox News, "Massive telescope will let us gaze deeper into the galaxy than ever before," 1 June 2017
A colorful projection of a digital spectrograph — a standard imaging tool that measures frequency analysis — was cast onto the gallery’s floor.

— reena jana, WIRED, "Sounds Like an Art Opening," 13 Jan. 2001

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spectrograph.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.