Most Sunlight is Green: Why Does It Appear Yellow?

Astronomer: A scientist specializing in the study of celestial bodies, space, and the physical universe.

Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding the Earth or enveloping another planet or moon.

Cell: (in biology) The smallest units of structure and function in an organism. Typically composed of a watery solution encased in a membrane or wall, they can be too small for the naked eye. Organisms, ranging from animals to bacteria, may consist of thousands to trillions of cells, while simpler life forms like yeast, mold, and some algae are unicellular.

Chlorophyll: A green pigment found in plants that is essential for photosynthesis, allowing them to synthesize sugars from carbon dioxide and water.

Cone: (In Biology) Retina Cells located at the back of the eye that detect red, green, or blue light. Recent studies suggest that many individuals can detect white light, but primarily in its full spectrum.

Electromagnetic Spectrum: The complete range of radiation, from radio waves to visible light, including gamma and x-rays. Classifications are made based on wavelength.

Filter: (n.) A device or material that selectively allows certain substances to pass while blocking others based on specific characteristics. (v.) The action of screening out items based on properties such as size or charge.

Hue: A color or tint.

Infrared: A form of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the human eye; its name derives from Latin, meaning “below red.” Infrared wavelengths exceed those of visible light, with other invisible wavelengths including x-rays and radio waves. Infrared rays typically capture the thermal signature of objects or environments.

Molecule: A neutral group of atoms that forms the smallest unit of a compound. Molecules may consist of identical or different types of atoms; for example, O₂ represents oxygen in the air, while H₂O indicates water.

NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, established in 1958, is a key institution in promoting public interest in space exploration and research. NASA has been pivotal in space travel, sending astronauts into orbit and to the moon, as well as conducting missions to study planets and other celestial phenomena.

Physicist: A scientist who investigates the properties of matter and energy.

Prism: A transparent material, often glass and shaped like a triangular wedge, that disperses white light into a spectrum of rainbow colors. (v.) To separate light into its constituent colors.

Radio Waves: A segment of the electromagnetic spectrum employed for long-distance communication. These waves, which are longer than visible light wavelengths, are utilized for transmitting radio and television signals, as well as in radar technology.

Rainbow: An arc of colors visible in the sky during or following rain, produced when sunlight refracts through water droplets, resulting in the separation of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

Range: The complete extent or distribution of something, such as the variety of plants and animals within a habitat. In mathematics, it defines the span between the highest and lowest values. It can also refer to the distance over which something can be perceived or reached.

Solar: Pertaining to the sun or its emitted radiation. The term is derived from Sol, which is Latin for the sun.

Spectrum: (plural: spectral) A collection of related phenomena displayed in a particular order, such as the range of electromagnetic radiation types, including gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, and radio waves.

Stars: Fundamental components that form galaxies. Stars are born when gravitational forces condense a gas cloud, producing heat and light, along with other forms of electromagnetic radiation. The sun is the nearest star to Earth.

Solar: The central star of the Earth’s solar system, located approximately 27,000 light-years from the Milky Way’s center. It also refers to other stars that function similarly to the sun.

Visible Light: A type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from 380 nanometers (violet) to 740 nanometers (red). It has shorter wavelengths compared to infrared, microwaves, and radio waves, but longer wavelengths than ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Wave: A disturbance or variation that travels through space or matter in a rhythmic manner.

Wavelength: The distance between successive peaks of a wave, or the distance from one trough to the next. It is a key measurement criterion for radiation types. Visible light, as all electromagnetic radiation, travels in wavelengths, spanning approximately from 380 nanometers (purple) to about 740 nanometers (red). Radiation with shorter wavelengths than visible light includes gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet rays, while longer wavelengths consist of infrared, microwaves, and radio waves.

X-ray: A form of radiation akin to gamma rays, but with lower energy levels.