Helium is named after the sun, "helios". So, it was discovered on the sun first. Why was it discovered on the sun before we knew about it here on Earth? Do we get our helium from the sun?
The book will talk about first detecting helium in a total solar eclipse and measuring the spectral lines of helium. I don't mean that.
Why were the first spectral lines detected on the sun, and not here on the Earth?