Answer to Question #223 in Astronomy | Astrophysics for Jalen

Question

What allows to detect Zeeman effect?

Answer 1

The main point of Zeeman effect is the following: magnetic field in the location of atom changes its radiation and absorption spectrum of electromagnetic waves, so that several new, closely located spectrum lines appear. The research of spectrum characteristics of atomic gases in space (with the help of high-resolution spectrometers) allows detecting and measuring the size of the magnetic field in space, in particular, on the surface of planets and stars.