Term | Definition |
Wavelength | the distance between any two corresponding points on successive oscillations of a wave, such as from peak to peak |
Electromagnetic Spectrum | a grouping of all possible energy levels of electromagnetic radiation from radio waves to gamma rays |
Electromagnetic Radiation | the type of energy released by stars consisting of electric and magnetic waves that travel at the speed of light |
Radiation | the transfer of energy by movement of electromagnetic waves or subatomic particles |
Radio Waves | electromagnetic waves with long wave lengths and low frequencies |
Micro Waves | electromagnetic waves that are between radio waves and infrared waves in the electromagnetic spectrum |
Infrared Waves | electromagnetic waves with longer wavelengths than visible light but shorter than radio waves |
Light Waves | electromagnetic waves with a frequency between UV and infrared waves, usually visible |
Ultraviolet Waves | electromagnetic waves with a wavelength shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays |
X-Rays | electromagnetic waves that are the second highest in energy and are used in medical and astronomical applications |
Gamma Rays | electromagnetic waves with the highest energy; produced by supernovas, the destruction of atoms, or the decay or radioactive material |
Radio Astronomy | the study of celestial objects that emit radio waves |
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) | electromagnetic radiation left over from early development of the universe that fills the universe; detected with a radio telescope and is a key proof of the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe |
Red Shift | the change in wavelength that allows us to determine if and object is moving toward us or away from us |