Spectroscope

Materials:
cardboard toothpaste carton
black construction paper squares
black construction paper strips
diffraction grating square
tape
scissors
hole punch
bright lights

Advance Preparation:
cut black construction paper strips the length of the toothpaste carton
cut squares of black construction paper the size of the flaps
cut diffraction grating into 1" squares

Procedure:

1. Open both ends of the toothpaste carton.
2. Cut the flaps in half so that there is a 1/2" gap between them (when folded in). Do this on both ends.
3. Cut one end along its center (lengthwise) so that there is a very thin slit (no thicker than a dime) in the middle of it.
4. Tape the black construction paper square to this end and cut it so that the slit remains in the middle.
5. Roll the construction paper strip, loosely and insert it into the box.
6. Make a hole near the center of the un-cut end of the toothpaste box.
7. Close the flap with the thin gap in it and secure it with tape so that the slit remains open.
8. Tape the diffraction grating over the inside of the hole (be sure not to tape over the hole). The long dimension of the plastic should be parallel to the slit in the other end of the box when the box is closed.
9. Close the box; your spectroscope is ready for use.
10. Locate a bright light, aim your spectroscope at it, and look through the hole at it. What do you see?

Try looking at different types of lights (neon sign, fluorescent, incandescent lamp, etc.)
NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN! To view the spectrum created by sunlight, aim the spectroscope off the side of the sun or look at the sky on a cloudy day.

General Information:
White light can be split into all of the colors of the rainbow by a prism. This array of colors is called a spectrum. Every star (including the Sun) is made of very hot gases that glow. This is why we are able to see stars millions of miles away. The gases that make up a star and the temperatures at which these gases are burning determine the color of the light that the stars give off. Each color of light bends at a different angle as it passes through diffraction grating. Thus, when we look at a star (or any bright light) through diffraction grating, we are able to view each color that makes up the light we are seeing individually.