Electromagnetic Spectrum in Space by Sandy Pope CRMS

EXPLORE Distortion of Light How can light become distorted? PROCEDURE Place a white sheet of paper behind a glass filled with plain water. Shine a flashlight through the glass, and observe the spot of light on the paper. Pour a spoonful of salt into the water. Stir the water, and observe the spot of light. WHAT DO YOU THINK? How did the spot of light change after you mixed the salt into the water? How could Earth ’ s atmosphere cause similar changes in light from space? MATERIALS flashlight glass filled with water sheet of white paper spoon salt How can light become distorted?

Visible light is a form of electromagnetic radiation (ih-LEHKtroh-mag-NEHT- ihk), which is energy that travels across distances as certain types of waves. There are other forms of electromagnetic radiation that you cannot see directly, such as radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet, x- rays and gamma rays. Scientists have developed instruments to detect these other forms. Electromagnetic radiation travels in all directions throughout space. Electromagnetic radiation

The different forms of electromagnetic radiation vary in their wavelengths.

This is the same kind of energy that radio stations emit into the air for your radio to capture and turn into your favorite Rap, Country or Rock tunes. But radio waves are also emitted by other things... such as stars and gases in space. Radio telescopes, helps us learn about composition, structure and motion of objects in space Radio Waves If our eyes could see radio waves.

: They will cook your popcorn in just a few minutes and send signals to your cell phone in seconds. Microwaves in space are used by astronomers to learn about the structure of nearby galaxies, and our own Milky Way! Radar, good for viewing Earth from space. Microwaves This is not a microwave oven. It analyzes natural microwaves from space.

Our skin emits infrared light, which is why we can be seen in the dark by someone using night vision goggles. Infrared is transmitted as thermal energy. In space, IR light maps the dust between stars. Infrared waves

Yes, this is the part that our eyes see. Visible radiation is emitted by everything from fireflies to light bulbs to stars... also by fast-moving particles hitting other particles Visible light waves

If you shine a flashlight through a prism, the beam of white light will separate into a range of colors called a (SPEHK-truhm). The colors that make up visible light are red, orange, yellow, green,blue, indigo, and violet. These are the colors in a rainbow, which appears when light spreads out as it passes through raindrops. ROYGBIV Prism

In a spectrum, the colors of visible light appear in the order of their wavelengths. is the distance between one wave peak and the next wave peak. WAVELENGTH

We know that the Sun is a source of ultraviolet (or UV) radiation, because it is the UV rays that cause our skin to burn! Stars and other "hot" objects in space emit UV radiation. Can use them to measure dim or faint galaxies or stars, helps learn about structure and evolution of stars. Ultraviolet rays

Your doctor uses them to look at your bones and your dentist to look at your teeth. Hot gases in the Universe also emit X-rays. Used to see photons from black holes, stars, supernovas and some comets. X-rays

Radioactive materials (some natural and others made by man in things like nuclear power plants) can emit gamma-rays. Big particle accelerators that scientists use to help them understand what matter is made of can sometimes generate gamma-rays. Given off by the HOTTEST regions. Needs a compton telescope to detect.! Gamma – Rays The engine that powers short gamma-ray bursts

Radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and X-ray. Infrared, visible, ultraviolet, EXTREME ultraviolet, X-Ray, and Gamma Ray.

The End Written by Sandy Pope Crystal River Middle School