Visible Light

Visible light is only part of what astronomers study. They use different types of telescopes to study the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

Light can be a type of pollution. Learn about the damage it causes to people and living things as well as how you can prevent it.

Getting electrons excited by heat can cause certain materials to give off visible light when heated - like filaments in light bulbs.

Learn about light and its properties.

Rainbows are beautiful examples of optics in nature. We see them thanks to the reflection and refraction of visible light and water.

Learn about the different types of radiation, how they interact with atoms and how they can affect you.

7 images of some objects that can reflect light such as mirrors, Mylar balloons and water

This backgrounder explains what light is, how it is measured, and how it affects people on Earth and astronauts on board the International Space Station.

How is light connected to the colours we see? In this STEAM activity make a colourful light catcher and discover why we see different colours?

How does the human eye see visible light as colour? And why do some people see more colours than others?

The human eye lets us see the world by sending impulses to our nervous system. In many ways, it is very similar to other optical devices, including cameras.