Which of the following can be observed from Earth's surface? a. radio waves b. gamma radiation c. far UV light d. X-ray light e. visible light

Earth's atmosphere plays a crucial role in determining which types of electromagnetic radiation can reach the surface. Atmospheric absorption is the process by which the atmosphere absorbs certain wavelengths of radiation.
Certain gases in the atmosphere, such as ozone, water vapor, and carbon dioxide, absorb specific bands of radiation. For example:

• Ozone absorbs most of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Water vapor and carbon dioxide absorb infrared radiation.

This means that radiation like gamma rays, X-rays, and far UV light are mostly blocked by these atmospheric gases.
These absorption processes protect life on Earth by minimizing our exposure to harmful high-energy radiation. However, they also limit our ability to naturally observe certain parts of the electromagnetic spectrum from the ground.

Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation that have wavelengths longer than infrared light. They are a fundamental tool in communication, from AM and FM radio to television and cell phones.
One of the reasons radio waves are so effective for communication is that they can penetrate the Earth's atmosphere with minimal absorption. This allows them to travel long distances and be detected reliably on Earth's surface.
Radio telescopes take advantage of this by observing radio waves from space, gaining insights into celestial objects. This is possible because:

• Radio waves are less affected by atmospheric absorption.
• The long wavelengths of radio waves can pass through clouds and other obstructions.

Consequently, radio waves are a valuable window into the universe, providing data about phenomena such as cosmic microwave background and pulsars.

Visible light is the range of electromagnetic radiation that can be seen by the human eye. It includes all the colors from violet to red, corresponding to wavelengths from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers.
This type of light is crucial for life on Earth as it drives photosynthesis in plants and enables vision in humans and animals.
Earth's atmosphere allows visible light to pass through almost completely, making it readily observable from the surface. It is less absorbed than other types of radiation because:

• The atmosphere is relatively transparent to these wavelengths.
• There are fewer atmospheric gases that absorb visible light.

These properties make visible light ideal for observational astronomy, allowing ground-based telescopes to capture detailed images of stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects.