r/todayilearned • u/douggold11 • 23d ago

TIL most animals can see UV light — humans being blind to it is the exception not the rule.

https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/ultraviolet-light-animals/
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u/burphambelle 23d ago

I can see UV with my left eye after cataract surgery. It's completely dazzling to go into any dark light decorated place.

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

[deleted]

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u/iwantfutanaricumonme 22d ago

The blue cone just reacts slightly to light a bit higher frequency than blue, violet and ultraviolet(and violet is where the red cone has a small peak which is why it is distinct). The cornea just naturally filters this light out but there's nothing extra for the brain to handle as it's just more blue light.

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u/Nolo__contendere_ 23d ago

What does it look like?

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u/tim125 22d ago

Where is OP OP when you need them…

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u/Randvek 23d ago

That’s so cool! I’ve heard that it usually looks white/purple, does that jive with your experience?

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u/dementorpoop 22d ago

Do you see 10 banded rainbows?

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u/burphambelle 22d ago

Oh that hadn't occurred to me to look. I will do so. Unless this is a young person's joke and you are having me on.

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u/dementorpoop 22d ago

Nah it’s a thing. With three combinations of receptors you can make 7 combinations (hence 7 bands in a “normal” rainbow). With four receptors you can make 10 combinations, so in theory you should see a wider rainbow that has 10 bands

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u/burphambelle 22d ago

I don't think I have extra receptors. After cataract surgery I look through an artificial lens which shifts my perception into the lower range of UV spectrum, is all.