Astronomy Dictionary

X-RAYS X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation (between ultraviolet light and gamma rays in wavelength, frequency, and energy) - basically, it's light that is way past the blue-violet end of the visible spectrum - we cannot see it. They have short wavelength (and high frequency) as compared to visible light. Each photon of X-ray radiation has a lot of energy. X-rays can go through most solid objects. X-ray images of celestial objects are one way of learning about their high-energy properties. For example, the sun's corona emits X-rays, especially over sunspots. The Einstein X-ray satellite was launched in 1978 to survey celestial X-ray sources.

X-RAY ASTRONOMY X-ray astronomy studies celestial objects by looking at the x-rays that they give off.

Astronomy Dictionary

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