ultraviolet astronomy

ultraviolet astronomy

n.

The branch of astronomy that deals with the origin and nature of emissions from extraterrestrial sources in the ultraviolet range of electromagnetic radiation rather than in the visible range.

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ultraviolet astronomy

The study of celestial objects by measurement of the ultraviolet radiation they emit. Celestial objects with strong emissions in the ultraviolet range are usually significantly hotter than those whose emissions are stronger in the visible range. Because the ozone layer absorbs most ultraviolet radiation before it reaches the Earth's surface, most ultraviolet observations are made from rocket-borne or space-based instruments.