Electromagnetic energy travels in waves and spans a broad spectrum from very long radio waves to very short gamma rays.

The human eye can only detect only a small portion of this spectrum called visible light. A radio detects a different portion of the spectrum, and an x-ray machine uses yet another portion. NASA's scientific instruments use the full range of the electromagnetic spectrum to study the Sun, Earth, the solar system, and the universe beyond. When you tune your radio, watch TV, send a text message, or pop popcorn in a microwave oven, you are using electromagnetic energy. You depend on this energy every hour of every day. Without it, the world you know could not exist.

Topics: electromagnetic spectrum, energy, light, photosynthesis, radiation, spectroscopy

NGSS: PS1, PS2, PS3,PS4, ESS1

Image Credit: NASA

Framework for Heliophysics Education

Big Idea 2.3

EMS infographic

Have leaners investigate this heliophysics big idea with the guiding questions below.

  • Sun, 335 angstrom UV

    Introductory Learner (K-5)

    Where do you find invisible light?

  • yellow image of the Sun

    Intermediate Learner (6-8)

    How does light travel?

  • An image of the Sun shows a bright flash in the bottom right side where a solar flare erupts.

    Advanced Learner (9-12+)

    How does light teach us about distant objects thousands of light years away?

Framework for heliophysics education

Heliophysics Resource Database

Use the guiding questions above to explore resources at each level or go directly to our database to search for resources by level, NGSS performance expectation, topic, and mission.

Learn More
In this animated GIF, a small portion of the Sun appears green. A bright white flash suddenly appears on the edge of the Sun.
On Nov. 4, 2003, this solar flare saturated the X-ray detectors on several Sun-observing spacecraft.
NASA/ESA/SOHO