SED (Spectral Energy Distribution)

A Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) is a representation showing how an object like a star, galaxy, or planet emits energy across different wavelengths of light, from radio waves to gamma rays. Imagine plotting the intensity of light at each color or wavelength; this creates a continuous graph that reveals the object's physical properties, such as temperature, composition, and activity. SEDs are essential tools in astronomy, helping scientists understand the underlying processes and characteristics of celestial objects by analyzing the way they emit energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.