This is an infrared (IR) view of Mt. Jian in Japan erupting in 1983. IR "light" is a form of electromagnetic radiation given off by hot materials like lava.
Click on image for full size
Daedalus Enterprises, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI
Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is the result of oscillating electric and magnetic
fields. The wave of energy generated by such vibrations moves through space
at the speed of light. And well it should... for visible
light is indeed one
form of electromagnetic (EM) radiation.
X-rays, radio
waves, gamma
rays, and infrared and ultraviolet "light"
are the other main types of electromagnetic radiation. They are all traveling
vibrations of electromagnetic waves, each with its own characteristic wavelength.
Organized in order of wavelength, they make up the electromagnetic
spectrum.
Sometimes it is useful to think about electromagnetic radiation as though
it came in packets. These packets of EM radiation are called "photons".
There is a second main type of radiation,
which is the result of subatomic particles moving at very high speeds. That
type of radiation is called "particle
radiation".
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