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Movie (1.6 MB)

Radio waves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, and gamma rays are all forms of electromagnetic radiation having different energies. Only radio and visible light easily penetrate Earth's atmosphere. And only visible light is detectable by the human eye.

This animation shows a spectrum and starting from left to right, points to the location on the spectrum for each of the types of radiation. It then shows a mountain scene.



NASA Logo, National Aeronautics and Space Administration