The passage below describes how astronomers study the light from distant stars. Based on the context of the passage, which single, precise verb should be written in the blank to maintain a formal, academic tone and avoid repeating verbs already used in the paragraph?
Answer:Astronomers use spectrophotometry to analyze the light emitted by distant stars and galaxies. By splitting this light into a spectrum of colors, researchers can detect the presence of specific chemical elements. Each element absorbs and emits light at distinct wavelengths, leaving a unique signature similar to a fingerprint. This technique allows scientists to 【determine】 the chemical composition of celestial bodies billions of light-years away.
Answer
determine (or identify, ascertain, deduce, establish)
The correct answer must be a precise, academic verb that fits the context of discovering the chemical makeup of distant stars from spectral data. Words such as 'determine', 'identify', 'ascertain', 'deduce', or 'establish' convey this action clearly, maintain a formal tone, and avoid redundancy with other verbs in the passage.
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