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The Scale of Extremely Low Frequency and Astrophysical Waves

A gigametre (Gm) is equal to 1,000,000,000 metres (10⁹ m) and is used to describe extraordinarily long wavelengths found primarily in the extremely low frequency (ELF) band and in astrophysical phenomena. These wavelengths correspond to frequencies in the millihertz to microhertz range, far below typical human-made radio communications. Gigametre-scale wavelengths are associated with very slow oscillations in space plasmas, planetary magnetospheres, and cosmic radio waves.

For example, a frequency of 1 microhertz (10⁻⁶ Hz) corresponds to a wavelength of about 300 million kilometres (300 Gm), which is roughly twice the distance from the Earth to the Sun. Such enormous wavelengths are significant in studying solar-terrestrial interactions, long-period gravitational waves, and other phenomena in astrophysics and cosmology.

Although gigametre wavelengths are not practical for terrestrial communications, they help scientists understand the large-scale electromagnetic environment of the solar system and beyond. Using the gigametre unit allows researchers to quantify these immense scales and analyze signals and waves that influence planetary environments, space weather, and the interstellar medium.

The Scale of Interstellar and Cosmological Waves

A petametre (Pm) equals 1,000 terametres (10¹⁵ metres), representing unimaginably vast distances that describe the longest electromagnetic wavelengths in the universe. These wavelengths correspond to frequencies in the attohertz (10⁻¹⁸ Hz) and lower ranges, which are mostly relevant in cosmology, astrophysics, and the study of gravitational waves and large-scale cosmic phenomena.

For context, a frequency of 1 attohertz (10⁻¹⁸ Hz) corresponds to a wavelength of approximately 300 petametres. This scale is far beyond any human-made signals and reflects waves that stretch across entire galaxies or even clusters of galaxies. Such waves help scientists study the cosmic microwave background (CMB) fluctuations, the large-scale structure of the universe, and primordial gravitational waves created shortly after the Big Bang.

Using petametres to measure wavelength allows researchers to grasp the vastness of these cosmic oscillations and the slowest processes influencing the universe’s evolution. These extreme wavelengths provide crucial insight into the origins, expansion, and ultimate fate of the cosmos.