Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains the Electromagnetic Spectrum

What are the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum? On this explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice break down visible light, the different wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum, and the discoveries that uncovered it.

Neil explains a revelation he had about potatoes and how its sort of like the electromagnetic spectrum. Is everything light? We discuss how ultraviolet got its name, what frequency means, and how sunscreen works. Is there anything beyond gamma rays? How long is a microwave? How did we used to think about the light spectrum? Learn about William Herschel and his discovery of infrared light in 1800. How did he do it before detection technology? We explore all that starting from…potatoes?

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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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0:00 - Introduction
2:16 - Different Forms Of Light
3:16 - Ultraviolet Light
4:50 - X-Rays
5:56 - Gamma Rays
7:01 - Infrared
8:06 - Microwaves
8:38 - Radiowaves
9:54 - The Invisible Electromagnetic Spectrum
10:21 - How William Herschel Discovered Infrared Light
12:24 - The Electromagnetic Spectrum
13:18 - Closing Notes