Final answer:
The main answer is that the analysis of the absorption spectrum provides clues about the composition of a planet's atmosphere. This is because atmospheric gases absorb specific wavelengths of light, allowing scientists to identify which elements and compounds are present by comparing the absorption lines to known spectra.
Step-by-step explanation:
The analysis of the absorption spectrum primarily provides clues about the composition of the planet's atmosphere. When light from the sun passes through a planet's atmosphere, certain wavelengths of light are absorbed by the atmospheric gases, leaving dark lines in the spectrum known as absorption lines. By comparing these absorption lines with known spectra of elements and compounds measured on Earth, scientists can determine which gases are present in the planet's atmosphere. This scientific method is a form of spectroscopy and it is used extensively in astronomy to study the atmospheric composition of planets and other celestial bodies, such as stars and gas clouds.For instance, the detection of specific molecules like methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) within the spectra of the gas giant planets like Jupiter and Saturn provided insights into their atmospheric composition. Similarly, observations of other exoplanets have revealed the presence of hydrogen, sodium, and even potential indicators of habitability, such as water vapour. The detailed chemical analysis gleaned from absorption spectra can also help infer atmospheric conditions, such as pressure and temperature, although the latter is generally estimated through other observational techniques.In conclusion, the analysis of an absorption spectrum is an invaluable tool in understanding the atmospheric makeup of celestial bodies and does not provide direct information on the distance between the sun and the planet, the size of the planet, or the temperature of the planet's surface by itself.