Electromagnetic Spectrum Explorer

Discover how light reveals the universe across all wavelengths

Station Card (PDF)
Radio Microwave Infrared Visible UV X-ray Gamma
10 km 1 m 1 mm 1 um 1 nm 1 pm 10 fm
🏗 Buildings
🧍 Humans
🐞 Insects
🧫 Cells
⚛ Molecules
⚪ Atoms
⭕ Nuclei

Click a band to explore

Select any region of the electromagnetic spectrum above to learn about its properties, how we detect it, and what it reveals about the universe.

Enter wavelength value
Frequency value (calculated from wavelength)
Photon energy value (calculated)
c = λν and E = hν = hc/λ

Wavelength
500nm
Frequency
600THz
Energy
2.48eV
Band
Visible

Light as a Cosmic Messenger

Every part of the electromagnetic spectrum reveals different information about the universe. By observing in multiple wavelengths, astronomers build a complete picture of cosmic objects.