EM Spectrum Notes

Sun’s energy comes to Earth by radiation Most of the energy from the Sun is Infrared radiation, visible light, or ultraviolet radiation.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

A good way to remember this is… Rabbits Meet In Very Unusual eXpensive Gardens

Radio Waves Carry Radio, TV, Computer signals Weakest, least dangerous

Microwaves Microwave ovens, cell phones, radar

Infrared Waves “Pure” heat, Heat lamps, remote controls, some photography ***Most of the Sun’s energy

Visible Light What you can see White light – “Pure” light, contains all other colors Colors - Roy G. Biv (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

Ultraviolet Some helps skin produce vitamin D Too much causes eye damage, sunburn, & skin cancer

X-Ray Used to view bones/teeth Can cause cancer in high amounts

Gamma Ray Nuclear Radiation Can cause radiation poisoning, cancer, death

The electromagnetic spectrum can help scientists view space by allowing them to see other types of energy that would be invisible with a regular telescope.

Regular Saturn – Saturn in UV Light

What our galaxy looks like… With your eyes or telescope infrared radio X-ray gamma ray