An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The characteristic way in which the → intensity of → radiation emitted by a → blackbody varies with its → frequency (or → wavelength), as described by → Planck’s radiation law. Also referred to as the → Planck curve. The exact form of the curve depends only on the object’s → temperature. The wavelength at which the emitted intensity is highest is an indication of the temperature of the radiating object. As the temperature of the blackbody increases, the peak wavelength decreases (→ Wien’s displacement law) and the total energy being radiated (the area under the curve) increases rapidly (→ Stefan-Boltzmann law).

See also: → blackbody; → curve.