Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: truthis on 28/09/2020 17:09:16

Title: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: truthis on 28/09/2020 17:09:16

Hi,

Would anyone on this forum ever have heard of anyone (even claiming) being able to see rays?

I would be interested in discussing with anyone interested on this subject and that of synaesthesia.

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: Bored chemist on 28/09/2020 17:26:37

What do you mean
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunbeam#Crepuscular_rays
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batoidea

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: truthis on 28/09/2020 17:32:11

Thanks for the response - I was referring to electromagnetic radiation.

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: Bored chemist on 28/09/2020 17:38:54

It depends what you mean by seeing rays.
In order to see anything, rays of light have to reach your eyes, but that's not quite the same thing.

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: truthis on 28/09/2020 17:45:30

Yes, sorry I realise I wasn't clear in my question.

I was referring to something akin to a metaphysical phenomenon, an ability to see things not visible to the natural eye.

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: Bored chemist on 28/09/2020 17:47:21

Science doesn't do metaphysics (except as a  branch of psychology).

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: evan_au on 28/09/2020 23:36:31

@alancalverd can see X-Rays, and I'm sure he could sell you a machine that would help you do it too!

I've seen sting rays - does that count?

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: truthis on 29/09/2020 06:08:52

Thank you very very much for this.

I can see sting rays, too. Aren't we special.

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: Antony Silva on 29/09/2020 06:31:34

We see electromagnetic radiation only in a very small part of the spectrum - the visible range; the skin can perceive infrared radiation as heat - but nothing more. Some animals are a little more fortunate: birds, for example, see a new, unimaginable color in ultraviolet light. Therefore, the most ordinary-looking birds for us can look very bright for their relatives. Snakes are better at sensing infrared radiation than we are; however, they do not see it with their eyes, but sense it with special receptors between the eyes and nose. No living creature on the planet looks into other EMR areas.

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: evan_au on 29/09/2020 13:25:22

Quote

No living creature on the planet looks into other EMR areas.

A number of species, from bacteria to birds are known (or strongly suspected) of being able to sense the Earth's magnetic field.
- Humans can't sense this without a compass

A number of species including mantis shrimp are known to be sensitive to the polarization of light.
- Humans can't sense this unless they are wearing polarizing sunglasses..

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 29/09/2020 15:57:41

Quote from: truthis on 29/09/2020 06:08:52

Thank you very very much for this.

I know Ray, you'd probably have to ask nicely though.

https://www.universetoday.com/94714/seeing-cosmic-rays-in-space/

The astronauts where able to see rays that they could not see, if you understand that.

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: Bored chemist on 29/09/2020 17:15:33

Quote from: evan_au on 29/09/2020 13:25:22

- Humans can't sense this unless they are wearing polarizing sunglasses..

... unless they can.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haidinger%27s_brush

Title: Re: Is seeing rays possible?
Post by: alancalverd on 29/09/2020 18:28:33

Quote

A phosphene is the phenomenon of seeing light without light actually entering the eye. The word phosphene comes from the Greek words phos (light) and phainein (to show). Phosphenes that are induced by movement or sound may be associated with optic neuritis.

Cerenkov radiation produces phosphenes, most commonly seen by astronauts but also reported by some folk undergoing particle beam radiotherapy.