Atmospheric Windows
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Below we show the electromagnetic spectrum again, from Gamma-Rays on the left (the most
powerful, shortest wavelength) over to the Radio on the right (the longest wavelength).
However, we are also showing the transmission of different kinds of radiation through
the Earth's Atmosphere.
Luckily, Gamma-Rays, X-Rays and most UV light can not penetrate the Earth's Atmosphere.
Also, most Infrared light can not penetrate. This means, in order for astronomers to
observe extra-terrestrial sources of such emission, we must get ABOVE the atmosphere!
This is just ONE of the reasons for spending 2 Billion dollars to build the Hubble Space Telescope.. We'll learn more about that soon.