What are the advantages of studying objects at various wavelengths of radiation?

Answer 1

Different wavelengths, or frequencies, reveal different interactions, chemistry, or temperature characteristics. For example, when looking at flowers in the ultraviolet, we see that most of them have UV coloring near the center of the blossoms. That is why it is believed that bees can see higher frequencies than we can. Observing a black hole in x-ray reveals the annihilation of matter, giving further strength to the model of what a black hole is. Analyzing stars in different frequencies tell us more about their temperatures.
Most physical processes and interactions only take place within a certain range of frequencies. The more frequencies we can analyze, the more we will know about the object we are looking at. Outside of astronomy, look how many types of EMR we use to examine the human body.

Answer 2

Wavelengths Of Radiation

Answer 3

You can get information about: 1. Their size. Example: the size of an object determines the maximum wavelength you can use to image it or to get a reflected return from it. In microscopy, some objects are too small to be seen in visible light but can be seen or imaged by X-rays; radar can't get a usable return from objects much smaller than the wavelength, etc. 2. Their composition. Knowledge of the line spectrum, if any, of emitted radiation enables determining the atomic and possibly molecular makeup. 3. Their temperature. Knowledge of the continuous spectrum of emitted radiation enables determining the temperature if it's blackbody radiation.

Answer 4

Often, very faraway objects can be identified by their radiation signature. If the object has an emission spectrum that matches with hydrogen and helium, the object is likely a star. If it emits periodic flashes of x-rays, it is more likely a pulsar (a spinning neutron star).

Additionally, the structure of nearby things (such as the Sun) can be better understood when observed at many different wavelengths.

Answer 5

It's identical to the advantage gained by seeing a variety of colors as opposed to just, say, blue.

It literally opens your eyes.