| MadSci Network: Astronomy |
Yes, a spectrometer measures the spectrum of
a light source. Spectographs, also, are essentially
groups of spectrometers used to make maps of spectral
lines and backgrounds.
Elements of spectrometers and spectrographs can include
prisms, and gratings.
Spectrometers and spectrographs are used with telescopes
which operate at many different wavelengths, including
visual ("regular") and radio. A spectrometer is not
a computer, but modern ones are meant to interact
closely with computers for spectral storage.
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Astronomy.