The Electromagnetic Spectrum


The EM Spectrum

Where Optical light fits into the EM Spectrum

Light is just one of the many kinds of radiation produced by stars and galaxies.

In fact, what our eyes can see (what astronomers call optical light) is only one small part of the range of possible types of "light".

The full range of different types is called the Electromagnetic Spectrum.

At one end of the Electromagnetic Spectrum are all the Radio waves and then we go along through Microwaves, and Infra-red into the Optical and on to Ultra-violet light, X-rays and all the way up to Gamma-rays.

Everything we know about the Universe comes from observing the electromagnetic spectrum.

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