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The Electromagnetic Spectrum

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Graphic titled “The Electromagnetic Spectrum” shows the shortest, most energetic wavelengths at the left and the longest, least energetic to the right, illustrated as a long, partially colored strip that ends in arrows. From left to right, the types of light are paired with their measurements: gamma ray (0.000001 to 0.01 nanometers), X-ray (0.01 to 10 nanometers), ultraviolet (10 to 380 nanometers), visible light (380 to 780 nanometers), infrared (780 nanometers to 0.3 millimeters), microwave (0.3 millimeters to 10 centimeters), radio (10 centimeters to 10 meters). On the graphic, visible light is represented by a rainbow of colors: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. The background is largely purple.

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July 02, 2021 4:25PM (EDT)

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Gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light (the visible rainbow), infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves are all forms of light (also called electromagnetic radiation). Together, they make up the electromagnetic spectrum. Each band of light has a different range of wavelengths: Gamma rays are the shortest and radio waves are the longest.

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NASA, ESA, CSA, Leah Hustak (STScI)

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