S

E C P

is a range of energetic radiation that includes

radio waves
microwaves infrared visible light ultraviolet

x rays
gamma rays

R A D I O

W A V E S
by the oscillation or

energy

waves

produced

acceleration of an electric charge

used in radio broadcasting, wireless telegraphy, two-

way communication for law enforcement, telephone transmission, wireless Internet, television, radar,

navigational systems, GPS, and space communication

The shortest waves have the highest frequency, or number of cycles per second; the longest waves have the lowest frequency, or fewest cycles per second.

M I C R O W A V E S

short or high-frequency radio waves lying roughly

between very-high-frequency waves and conventional radio waves

applied in radio and television, radar, meteorology,

satellite communications, distance measuring, and

research into the properties of matter

I N F R A R E D

emission of energy as electromagnetic waves in the

portion of the spectrum just beyond the limit of the red portion of visible radiation

used to obtain pictures of distant objects obscured

by atmospheric haze

 the study of astronomical objects by examining the

wavelengths they emit in the infrared range

played a key role in the search for objects which

lie on the boundary between true stars and giant Jupiter-like planets

Jupiter emits more infrared radiation than expected from absorption of sunlight, indicating that it has an internal source of heat energy.

Stars of lower mass than the Sun are less luminous and much cooler. Red dwarf stars are much more plentiful than the rare and short-lived high-mass stars.

Lowest mass objectscalled brown

dwarfshave been hard to find because they are so faint at visible light wavelengths

V I S I B L E L I G H T

the only electromagnetic radiation that humans can

perceive with their eyes

produced principally by the sun

Ultraviolet Astronomy

is the detection and study of

ultraviolet radiation emanating from celestial objects.

penetrating

electromagnetic

radiation,

having a shorter wavelength than light

X-Ray Astronomy, detection and study of

energy radiating from

electromagnetic

celestial bodies in the form of X rays.

G A M M A

R A Y S

have the shortest wavelength, greatest energy, and

most penetrating power of any form of electromagnetic radiation

Gamma-Ray

Astronomy,

field

of

astronomy

involving the observation of gamma rays from outer space.