Which of the following causes the biggest problem in detecting infrared photons from an astronomical object?
A) smog
B) carbon dioxide
C) water vapor
D) light pollution

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere absorbs much of the infrared radiation that reaches our planet's surface, making it difficult to detect infrared photons from astronomical objects. This is why telescopes that observe in the infrared range are often located at high-altitude sites or even in space, where the atmosphere is thinner and there is less water vapor to contend with. Smog, carbon dioxide, and light pollution can all be factors in observing astronomical objects, but they do not have as significant an impact on detecting infrared photons as water vapor does.

Which of the Following Causes the Biggest Problem in Detecting