Seeing the Universe

"The electromagnetic spectrum" is the name scientists give to the family of different kinds of electromagnetic radiation, including the familiar visible light we see all around us when the sun shines.

But we're much more familiar with some regions of the spectrum than with others.

At the shore, we all know it's wise to take precautions against ultraviolet rays...

 

Infrared light, or heat energy, can be seen with special detectors.

But the spectrum also includes radiation we may not, at first, think of as light.

Radio is also "light"-electromagnetic radiation.

 

On the other end of the spectrum from radio are x-rays.

Gamma rays complete the family-created on earth in particle accelerators, and in the Universe by titanic events we don't yet fully understand.

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum explained in simple terms using real-life examples.

Imagine the Universe
An introduction on the electromagnetic spectrum including why we need to go into space to see the entire spectrum.

Electromagnetic Spectrum
This site explains each type of electromagnetic radiation, its uses and the dangers from too much exposure to the radiation.

Interactive Multimedia Adventures for Grade-school Education Using Remote Sensing (IMAGERS)
A simple explanation of electromagnetic radiation including each type of radiation, how we "see" using that type of radiation and what that type of radiation shows us.

NASA's Observatorium
An introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum.

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