{"id":4437,"date":"2026-04-21T13:37:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:37:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.gsfc.nasa.gov\/stella\/?page_id=4437"},"modified":"2026-04-21T16:40:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:40:55","slug":"stella-labspec","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/science.gsfc.nasa.gov\/stella\/instruments\/stella-1-2\/stella-labspec\/","title":{"rendered":"STELLA-LabSpec"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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STELLA-LabSpec<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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*** Advanced Build – Surface Mounting Using Solder Paste and Hot Plate**<\/strong>*

The STELLA-Lab_Spec module<\/strong> for the STELLA 1.2 is a low-cost, moderate-precision 8-channel visible light spectrometer with controllable excitation sources, available in two configurations: one designed for standard cuvettes and one for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tubes. Connected to a handheld STELLA 1.2 unit, the plugin allows users to excite sample contents with commercially available LED lamps across UV, visible, and NIR wavelengths from multiple positions, enabling investigation of fluorescence, scattering, and light transmission.<\/p>

Excitation sources positioned orthogonal to the sensor optical axis allow users to characterize spectral fluorescence in biological samples tagged with fluorescent dyes, or to spectrally characterize scattering by cells and other suspended matter. The on-axis position enables spectral absorption measurements of light transmitted through the sample, supporting numerical characterization of color-change dye responses to dissolved materials such as pH indicators and nitrates.<\/p>

The Lab_Spec is an open-source instrument intended to broaden access to basic laboratory spectroscopy capabilities, particularly in settings where higher-end equipment is not available. It is important to note that this instrument has not been peer reviewed, and as with all low-cost sensors in the STELLA family, it is not designed to replicate the high precision and accuracy of NASA mission instruments or professional-grade field and laboratory equipment. Results should be interpreted accordingly.<\/p>

*** Build video coming soon***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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STELLA-1.2 Highlights<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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NASA scientists and engineers at Goddard Space Flight Center, led by Paul Mirel and Mike \u2026<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

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At Garden City Community College in Kansas, Assistant Professor Elisa Mai integrated STELLA spectrometers into \u2026<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

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Garden City Community College (GCCC) in Garden City, Kansas has successfully concluded the first offering \u2026<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

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