03. Are ultraviolet rays visible? Can we see them? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

Visible light is from 380 nanometers (violet) to 760 nanometers (red), which includes a small part of the UV region. Cones are the receptors in the retina that detect color. Most people do not see UV light because the lens of the eye absorbs UV. After cataract removal surgery, UV light (300 - 400 nm) can reach the cone visual receptors. People with this condition describe UV light as a whitish-blue. Although all three (red, green, blue) cones are sensitive to UV light, the blue cone is more UV sensitive.

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Answer provided by Dr. Jonathan B. Clark

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer

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