Both radio waves and visible light can travel vast distances in space. However, the specific distance they can travel depends on various factors, such as the power of the source, the frequency of the waves, and the presence of any obstacles or interstellar medium.
Radio Waves: Radio waves have long wavelengths and low frequencies, which allow them to propagate over long distances. In space, radio waves can travel essentially indefinitely unless they encounter significant obstacles or are absorbed or scattered by interstellar gas or dust. Radio signals from Earth have been detected by radio telescopes in distant galaxies, indicating that they can travel tremendous distances.
Visible Light: Visible light has shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies compared to radio waves. While visible light can also travel significant distances in space, its path can be affected by interstellar dust and gas clouds that can absorb or scatter the light. This can cause attenuation or alteration of the light's properties. However, in relatively clear regions of space, visible light from distant stars and galaxies can reach us, allowing us to observe and study the universe.
It's important to note that the vastness of space and the distances involved can result in the weakening of electromagnetic signals over long distances due to factors like dispersion and inverse square law. These effects can cause the intensity of the waves to decrease as they travel farther away from their source.
In summary, both radio waves and visible light can travel great distances in space, with radio waves being particularly resilient due to their longer wavelengths and lower frequencies. However, the presence of obstacles or interstellar medium can affect the propagation of both types of waves to some extent.