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This composite of 30 Doradus, the Tarantula Nebula, contains data from Chandra (blue), Hubble (green), and Spitzer (red). Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, the Tarantula Nebula is one of the largest star-forming regions close to the Milky Way.
PIA14415
Levels
  • Intermediate (6-8)
  • Advanced (9-12+)
Material Type
  • Activity/Hands-on
  • Article/Informative Text
Heliophysics Big Ideas
  • Big Idea 2.3 – The Sun is the primary source of light…
NGSS
  • PS4 - Waves and their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer
  • ESS1 - Earth's Place in the Universe
Heliophysics Topics
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Light
  • Solar System
Heliophysics Missions
  • Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
  • Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Material Cost per Learner Free
Language English

In this activity, learners discover how scientists use colored filters to study the universe, and see images in a new light. Our eyes see only visible light, but we live in a universe that spans the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum consists of light energy travelling in waves, from very short waves like gamma rays to very long waves such as radio waves. Filters block certain energy levels of light while allowing others to pass through. In this activity, red and blue colored filters change how those colors appear on white paper versus black paper.

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Filtered Light Activity

Oct 2, 2025

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