electromagnetic spectrum


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The full range of electromagnetic radiation in order of wavelength from longest to shortest, or frequency from lowest to highest. In order, the types of radiation that make up the electromagnetic spectrum include radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma-ray. Our eyes are only sensitive to the sliver of the electromagnetic spectrum we call visible light. Astronomers use instruments that can observe as much of the electromagnetic spectrum as possible to learn about the nature and history of the universe.