Earth's Atmosphere and Wavelengths

13.22 - Know that the Earth’s atmosphere blocks almost all of the radiation of different wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, except visible light and radio waves
13.30 - Understand the detrimental effect of the Earth's atmosphere on the quality of images formed by telescopes on the Earth’s surface

From Earth we can study the optical and radio wavelengths fairly easily. We can see a little infrared in precision observatories and a miniscule fraction of ultraviolet - this is what gives us a tan in the sun.

The light that we see from stars is just one form of observing we can do. 'Invisible' astronomy or 'non-optical' astronomy tells us a lot about space.

Special observing techniques have been produced in order to study bodies best at different parts of the spectrum as our atmosphere is good at deflecting or blocking these waves, which is a good thing or the rays would kill us!

Benefits of Earth's atmosphere
  • Oxygen allows humans and animals to breathe.
  • The atmosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun
  • Makes the climate and temperature of Earth consistent
  • The atmosphere spreads out and scatters light from the Sun
  • Protects us from micro meteorite collisions from space
Drawbacks

There are some drawbacks also, though mostly for astronomers

  • The atmosphere holds in some "greenhouse" gases that retain the heat of the Sun. These are necessary for life to continue on Earth however gases made as a result of human actions are causing the atmosphere to heat up which causes climate change.
  • Clouds regularly obscure good astronomical viewing
  • The atmosphere refracts light which means the position and clarity of star viewing is less accurate
  • Pollution from light and chemicals obscure observations
  • The atmosphere reflects most radiation making observations at some wavelengths weaker.

 

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Animation

Light through a Prism

See Also

Earth Atmospheric Effects
Planetary Formations Atmospheres
Celestial Observation Visibility & Light Pollution
Telescopes Electromagnetic Spectrum

Questions

Why are some types of light and radiation visible to us (e.g radio waves) from Earth and not others (e.g. X-rays)?

Facts
  • The atmosphere is made up of Nitrogen, Oxygen and other gases such as Argon and Carbon Dioxide.
  • There is more atmosphere on the surface near the sea than on top of a very tall mountain. Gravity is stronger the nearer it is to the Earth's centre.
  • Atmosphere thins out the further it is from Earth to the point where it merges with space.
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