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How We Use Ultraviolet Light
Ultraviolet light (or UV) waves are just beyond the range that our eyes can see. Special light bulbs are made that can emit UV light like the ones that are found in tanning beds. "Black" lights also produce ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light has many uses you may not be aware of. Due to its high energy waves, UV light kills bacteria and viruses and is used to sterilize many things such as surgical equipment and food containers. UV light is also used to whiten teeth and detect counterfeit money.
A picture of distant galaxies using the Hubble Space Telescope's UV cameras.
What We Can Learn from Ultraviolet Light
Many of the objects in the sky emit ultraviolet light. The light of young stars, for example, is mostly UV light. So, with the help of a UV telescope, galaxies can look very different because we can actually see all of their stars. UV telescopes also help us study the structure of the sun because the hotter parts of the sun produce the most ultraviolet light.
Ultraviolet Light Images
A visible light image of the sun (left) showing sunspots compared to an ultraviolet light image of the sun (right)
Other Info
With its high energy waves, ultraviolet light stimulates our skin cells to make vitamin D, but too much UV light causes sunburns and skin cancer.
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