Wavelengths that the atmosphere allows to pass through (via windows or channels)
and wavelengths that can't travel through the atmosphere

This graph illustrates the relationship between electromagnetic radiation and atmospheric opacity. The rainbow colors highlight the area where the atmosphere is nearly transparent to visible radiation, slightly to the right you can see why the atmosphere acts as an effective absorber of infrared (heat) energy. You can reference the graph below to see where visible and infrared wavelengths are in the electromagnetic spectrum.