What is the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) and how does it relate to human vision?
DM: The electromagnetic spectrum is the full range of radiation that permeates our universe and extends from the very short wavelengths X-rays and Gamma rays that we normally cant see from the surface of the Earth, but we can generate from the surface of the Earth artificially right the way through to the longest, radio waves. In the middle of this range of spectrum is visible light; its only a tiny part of the spectrum. And that light illuminates our everyday life and is divided up into the various colors that we see as the rainbow. Human eyes are sensitive to just a tiny part of the electromagnetic spectrum. JL: How does the EMS factor into our daily lives as human beings? DM: If we go to the longer wavelengths, beyond infrared, we enter the realm of microwaves and clearly theyre an important ingredient in everybodys dinner! There are these practical uses. But when were able to detect [the wavelengths], coming from outer space, they also tell us about the nature of the objects that h
