• Question: In your opinion, what's the most interesting application of spectroscopy? What could it be used for in the future?

    Asked by Elinor to Laura, Matthew, Andrew on 20 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Matthew Camilleri

      Matthew Camilleri answered on 20 Nov 2014:

      Spectroscopy has revolutionised the field of medicine with MRIs, and for all the good work we can do in a chemistry lab, that one innovation has saved thousands if not millions of lives.

      I can see us use spectroscopy in different fields in the future, but mainly in planet hunting when we are ready to colonise space. Spectroscopy should give a good idea of the size of the planet and what its atmosphere and surface are made up of.

    • Photo: Laura Schofield

      Laura Schofield answered on 20 Nov 2014:

      I think the most interesting application of recent times is on Philae (the probe that landed on a comet)! They had all sorts of spectrometers and spectroscopes on board and have found organic matter (molecules that are carbon based) on the comet!! That’s amazing! Especially when you think that it launched on 2004 so the equipment is already 10 years old. Imagine what we could do if we sent up another probe this year, or in another 10 years! That’s amazing!
      I think it is really cool that we can send these bits of kit into space to investigate what is out there and I hope it continues for a very long time!

    • Photo: Andrew McKinley

      Andrew McKinley answered on 20 Nov 2014:

      The most interesting application of spectroscopy that I have seen recently has been a satellite orbiting the earth to analyse our atmosphere. It looks at how the Sun’s light changes as it passes through our atmosphere – basically as the Sun ‘sets’ as the satellite orbits the earth. It’s giving regular data on the composition of our atmosphere, looking at the carbon dioxide concentrations as well as ozone composition too.

      THe miniaturisation of spectrometers for use in space is also amazing – the Philae lander tech is absolutely incredible – sensitive, robust spectrometers in a space the size of a shoebox!

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