AaS! 89: What makes all the light?
Ask a Spaceman!
Paul M. Sutter
4.8 • 853 Ratings
🗓️ 2 October 2018
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
What are the many sources of light in the universe? Why is a spectrum so important? What’s the difference between synchrotron and Cherenkov radiation? What’s the best word ever in physics? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PaulMattSutter
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMattSutter
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter
Go on an adventure: http://www.AstroTours.co
Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!
Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Robert R., Matthew K., Justin G., Kevin O., Chris C., Helge B., Tim R., Neil L., Steve P., Khaled Al T., John W., Chris L., John F., Craig B., Mark R., Dave L., Stephen M., David B., Kirk B., and Steven L.!
Music by Jason Grady and Nick Bain. Thanks to WCBE Radio for hosting the recording session, Greg Mobius for producing, and Cathy Rinella for editing.
Hosted by Paul M. Sutter, astrophysicist at The Ohio State University, Chief Scientist at COSI Science Center, and the one and only Agent to the Stars (http://www.pmsutter.com).
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Let's talk about the spectrum. |
| 0:08.2 | Let's say it out loud together because it's going to come up a lot in this episode and we better get used to it. |
| 0:14.9 | So on the count of three, with a clear, confident voice all together now. |
| 0:19.6 | We'll say it together. |
| 0:20.5 | One, two, three, spectrum. |
| 0:24.2 | Thanks. |
| 0:25.3 | Thank you for participating. |
| 0:27.8 | That is not the only word I'm going to ask you to say out loud today, so you better get used to it. |
| 0:32.1 | More on that later. |
| 0:32.9 | For now, the spectrum. |
| 0:34.0 | The spectrum of light is by far the most important tool at the disposal of the astronomer. If you want to be an astronomer, you must get friendly with the spectrum. The spectrum of light is by far the most important tool at the disposal of the |
| 0:37.6 | astronomer. If you want to be an astronomer, you must get friendly with the spectrum. The |
| 0:42.3 | spectrum is simple. It tells you how much of what kind of light is coming off an object. How much |
| 0:51.3 | of this wavelength? How much of that wavelength? How much of every wavelength? |
| 0:58.0 | How much green? But more detailed than it? How much lime green? How much Kelly green? Asparagus green, neon green, sea green, mantis, malachite, spring bud, veridian, Hunter. Even more detailed than that. |
| 1:10.9 | How much light at 500 nanometers? |
| 1:14.6 | Which is green light? |
| 1:16.1 | How much at 520 nanometers? |
| 1:18.6 | How much at 530.1 nanometers? |
| 1:23.0 | And beyond the visible. |
| 1:24.6 | How much radio? |
| 1:25.7 | How much microwave? |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Paul M. Sutter, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Paul M. Sutter and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.