Which wavelengths are particularly affected by scattering from cosmic dust?
Answer
Shorter, bluer wavelengths.
The scattering effect caused by the microscopic particles comprising cosmic dust is wavelength-dependent, following principles similar to Rayleigh scattering observed in planetary atmospheres, though applied across interstellar space. This mechanism preferentially removes light with shorter wavelengths from the direct line of sight. Consequently, starlight passing through significant amounts of dust appears redder than it intrinsically is—an effect known as reddening—because the blue components have been scattered away or absorbed, leaving the longer, redder wavelengths to reach the observer more easily.
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