The Universe Through Ultraviolet Eyes

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) light (or radiation) has shorter wavelengths than visible light. Though UV waves are well-nigh invisible to the human eye, some insects, birds and fish can see them! Scientists have divided the ultraviolet part of the spectrum into three regions: the near ultraviolet, the far ultraviolet, and the extreme ultraviolet. The three regions are distinguished by how energetic the ultraviolet radiation is. The longer the wavelength, the less energetic the radiation. The near ultraviolet, abbreviated NUV, is the light closest to optical or visible light, and covers a wavelength range between 300 and 400 nm. The far ultraviolet, abbreviated FUV, lies between the near and extreme ultraviolet regions (122–200 nm). It is the least explored of the three regions. The extreme ultraviolet, abbreviated EUV, is the ultraviolet light closest to X-rays, and is the most energetic of the three types (10–121 nm).