The Tools of
Astronomy
Chapter 28, Section 28.1
LIGHT – Reaches Earth because it was
Emitted from or Reflected off of distant objects
•Only mechanism absent particles and fragments that have entered our atmosphere or been
obtained via some form of sampling device
•Commonly referred to as electromagnetic radiation
Electric and Magnetic disturbances traveling through space in waves
Goes beyond the realm of “visible” light that the human eye can detect (small)
•Forms of electromagnetic radiation
Ultraviolet Radiation causes sunburn
X-Rays (Medical Field)
All are arranged according to their Wavelength, but can also be classified by Frequency
Wavelength is the distance between peaks on a wave
Frequency is the number of waves per second
C = λf (c = speed of light, λ = wavelength, f = frequency
All electromagnetic radiation has the same c (speed)
The Tools of
Astronomy
Chapter 28, Section 28.1
LIGHT – Reaches Earth because it was
Emitted from or Reflected off of distant objects
The Tools of
Astronomy
Chapter 28, Section 28.1
Telescopes – What and How they see what we cannot
The Tools of
Astronomy
Chapter 28, Section 28.1
Satellites, Probes, and other Space-Based Astronomy