April 25, 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics 101: Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is a variety of frequencies of electro-magnetic radiation. From long to short wavelength, the EM spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, noticeable light, ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays.
Energy takes a trip through space as electromagnetic (EM) waves, which are comprised of oscillating magnetic and electric fields. EM waves do not need a material (such as air or water) to move through, thus they can, unlike sound, travel through empty space. All electromagnetic waves travel at the exact same speed in a vacuum: the speed of light (which is itself an EM wave).

An EM wave, like other waves, is specified by its wavelength, and the variety of wavelengths we observe, from exceptionally long to really short, is referred to as the EM spectrum. Celestial objects such as stars, worlds, and galaxies all release electromagnetic waves at numerous wavelengths, for that reason telescopes are built to be delicate to various areas of the electromagnetic spectrum. The electro-magnetic spectrum is a range of wavelengths of electro-magnetic radiation. Each image represents a particular color or wavelength area of the spectrum, from ultraviolet to near infrared, and reveals the broad wavelength region covered by Hubble. Each image represents a specific color or wavelength region of the spectrum, from ultraviolet to near-infrared, and reveals the broad wavelength range covered by Hubble.

An EM wave, like other waves, is specified by its wavelength, and the variety of wavelengths we observe, from very long to extremely brief, is described as the EM spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is loosely divided into departments based upon how the waves behave when they communicate with matter, and each department is given a name. Radio waves have the longest wavelengths, followed by microwaves, infrared, noticeable light, ultraviolet, x-rays, and finally gamma rays, which have the fastest wavelengths..
Celestial items such as stars, planets, and galaxies all discharge electromagnetic waves at various wavelengths, for that reason telescopes are built to be conscious different areas of the electromagnetic spectrum. Much shorter wavelengths are referred to as bluer, while longer wavelengths are referred to as redder. EM radiation in and near the noticeable region of the spectrum is generally referred to broadly as light..
We can construct a more total image of an objects structure, composition, and habits by integrating observations at various wavelengths than noticeable wavelengths alone can convey.
The electro-magnetic spectrum is a variety of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. From long to short wavelength, the EM spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, noticeable light, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays. Credit: ESA/Hubble.
Hubble observes in different wavelength bands, one band at a time, each providing various information on the item under research study. Each of these wavelengths is replicated in a various color and these are integrated to form a composite image that well resembles the real emission from that celestial item.
Astronomers have used this set of single-color images, shown around the edge, to construct the color picture (center) of a ring of star clusters surrounding the core of the galaxy NGC 1512. These images were taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescopes Faint Object Camera (FOC), Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2), and the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS). Each image represents a particular color or wavelength region of the spectrum, from ultraviolet to near infrared, and reveals the large wavelength region covered by Hubble. Heavenly bodies produce light at a range of wavelengths, anywhere from gamma rays to radio waves. Astronomers selected to study NGC 1512 in these colors to highlight essential details in the ring of young star clusters surrounding the core.Credit: NASA, ESA, Dan Maoz (Tel-Aviv University, Israel, and Columbia University, USA).
By exploring the image above, you can see how astronomers have actually used a set of single-color images to construct the color picture of a ring of star clusters surrounding the core of the galaxy NGC 1512. Each image represents a specific color or wavelength region of the spectrum, from ultraviolet to near-infrared, and shows the wide wavelength variety covered by Hubble. Astronomers picked to study NGC 1512 in these colors to stress important details in the ring of young star clusters surrounding the core.
Electro-magnetic Spectrum. Credit: ESA/Hubble.
Astronomers use multi-wavelength imagery to study details that might not otherwise be present in noticeable images. The planets aurorae are only noticeable in the ultraviolet; however, the structure of the red area is well studied at noticeable wavelengths.
To commemorate the telescopes 25th anniversary in 2015, Hubble unveiled 2 new lovely portraits of the popular Pillars of Creation, exposing how various information can be studied in near-infrared and noticeable observations. While the visible light captures the multi-colored radiance of gas clouds, the infrared image penetrates much of the obscuring dust and gas to reveal many newborn stars.
We welcome you to watch this Hubblecast that checks out how Hubbles observations vary throughout different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, and how these observations will be matched by those of the James Webb Space Telescope.