The purposes of spectroscopy in astronomy are to measure the radiation flux of the spectroscopic emission or absorption line and to measure the dynamical parameters of the line profile. In order to use an appropriate instrument for the scientific purpose, we need to understand the characteristics of various spectrometers, e.g., a prism spectrometer, a grating spectrometer, and a Fabry-Perot spectrometer (FPS), which are being used in ultra-violet, optical, and infrared bands. The Fabry­Perot spectrometer is not very popular compared to the grating spectrometer, because of its complex and tricky operations. The Fabry-Perot spectrometer, however, can get a two-dimensional image at one exposure, so we can study radiation mechanisms and dynamical properties of extended sources, e.g., clusters, nebula, and galaxies.

• 박수종(서울대학교 지구환경과학부 천문학전공) | PAK SOOJONG (Astronomy Program, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University)