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Electromagnetic Spectrum - Introduction - Imagine the Universe!
Radio waves, gamma-rays, visible light, and all the other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation can be described in terms of a stream of mass-less particles, called photons, each traveling in a wave-like pattern at the speed of light.
Electromagnetic Spectrum - Imagine the Universe!
The electromagnetic spectrum can be expressed in terms of energy, wavelength or frequency. Each way of thinking about the EM spectrum is related to the others in a precise mathematical way. Scientists represent wavelength and frequency by the Greek letters lambda (λ) and nu (ν).
Spectra - Introduction - Imagine the Universe!
But the electromagnetic spectrum encompasses more than just optical light. It covers all energies of light, extending from low-energy radio waves, to microwaves, to infrared, to optical light, to ultraviolet, to very high-energy X-rays and gamma rays.
Regions of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Astronomer's Toolbox Wavelength, Frequency, and Energy Regions of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Listed below are the approximate wavelength, frequency, and energy limits of the various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Imagine the Universe!
Such a spectrum from the Sun is known as the "visible spectrum", but it is just a small part of the light in the electromagnetic spectrum, which spans energies from radio waves to gamma-rays.
Discovering the Electromagnetic Spectrum - Imagine the Universe!
It took a bit longer for scientists to discover the higher-energy (shorter wavelength) light in the electromagnetic spectrum. Left: Portrait of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen who is credited with discovering X-rays. Right: Mrs. Röntgen's hand, the first X-ray picture of the human body ever taken.
Observatories Across the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Astronomers use a number of telescopes sensitive to different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to study objects in space. Even though all light is fundamentally the same thing, the way that astronomers observe light depends on the portion of the spectrum they wish to study.
Astronomer's Toolbox - Imagine the Universe!
Astronomers need to collect light from across the electromagnetic spectrum to completely understand a celestial object. Use the links below to explore how astronomers use the highest energies of light to learn about our Universe.
Electromagnetic Spectrum Quiz - Imagine the Universe!
Electromagnetic Spectrum Quiz Which of the following is correct in order of lowest to highest energy? [A] X-rays, Visible Light, Microwave [B] Ultraviolet, Visible Light, Gamma-rays [C] Microwave, Visible Light, Gamma-rays The photons that make up radio waves travel at the same speed as the photons that make up visible light. [A] True [B] False
Background: Introduction to Spectroscopy - Imagine the Universe!
But the electromagnetic spectrum encompasses more than just optical light - it covers all energies of light extending from low-energy radio waves, to microwaves, to infrared, to optical light, to ultraviolet, to very high-energy X- and gamma-rays.
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