Absorption Lines and Curve of Growth

• observed absorption line spectra
  • the Sun
  • mystery star (spoiler)
  • interstellar medium lines of potassium and lithium towards zeta Ophiuchi, and in the SMC
• contributions to linewidths
• profile functions
• curve of growth
• hydrogen lines and the Lyman limit

Awesome Example: Quasar Absorption Line Systems

• typical quasar optical spectrum
• Lyman-alpha forest: cartoon and spectrum
• a damped Lyman-alpha system