Helium was discovered on the sun in 1868, almost 30 years before it was discovered he on earth. How could that be possible?

Question

Caleb Adams · Accepted Answer

The scientist were able to detect Helium from its absorption spectrum.

Every element has a unique spectrum of light energy lines based on its electron configuration.

In studying the sun unique dark lines were observed that didn't match any known elements on earth.

The scientists knew that they had discovered evidence of a new element. The element was name Helium after the Greek word for the sun.

Scientists can get clues about what elements are present in distant stars by studying the spectra of the stars.

Cooper Adams · Answer

undefined The presence of helium was confirmed through experiments and observations in 1895, although it was first discovered spectroscopically in the Sun's atmosphere by astronomers Joseph Norman Lockyer and Pierre Janssen in 1868. The reason for the delay in helium's discovery on Earth was that it is relatively rare and chemically inert, making it difficult to detect and isolate.