The Losey Lab Research: What is UV?

Ultraviolet is the region of the spectrum below the visible--that is, wavelengths of light shorter than those seen by humans (about 280-400 nm). Our visual system cuts off at about 400 nm--our lenses block damaging ultraviolet wavelengths from reaching our retinas. Some birds, insects, and fish, however, don't block these wavelengths--they can see in the UV! Since we can't, we must use special equipment, such as our ultraviolet-sensitive videocamera system, and our spectrophotometer, to allow us to visualize what's happening in the ultraviolet. Our research focuses on the upper, less damaging portion of the spectrum, the UVA (about 300-400 nm).

Jump to: