This month we asked what, in a nutshell, is infrared astronomy? To quote from our source, Infrared astronomy is
“The field of astronomical observations specializing in detecting photons from the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared astronomy plays an important role particularly in the study of cooler astrophysical objects, ranging from asteroids and comets to exoplanets and developing stars. These objects emit brightly in the infrared, although they may be veiled by clouds of dust that conceal their presence at shorter, optical wavelengths. Infrared astronomy thus affords researchers an opportunity to study phenomena that would go unseen if relying on just visible light”
The question, and answer, were found in AccessScience. This is the online version of the standard encyclopedia with updated science and technology news, biographies, learning resources, study guides, and links to related web sites. The particular article referenced was:
Bhattacharya, Bidushi. “Infrared astronomy.” AccessScience, McGraw Hill, Feb. 2019.
Find AccessScience on the library’s Research & Homework page under “A” and access it with your library card.
