William Herschel’s sensors let us see the invisible Universe | Aeon Essays

TL;DR


Summary:
- William Herschel, an 18th-century astronomer, discovered that the Sun emits invisible infrared radiation beyond the visible spectrum of light. This groundbreaking discovery expanded our understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and the invisible aspects of the universe.
- Herschel's experiments with prisms and thermometers revealed that the Sun's rays extend beyond the visible red light, demonstrating the existence of infrared radiation. This discovery paved the way for the development of various technologies, including night vision and thermal imaging, which allow us to perceive the invisible world around us.
- Herschel's work highlighted the limitations of human senses and the importance of scientific instruments in expanding our knowledge of the universe. His discovery of infrared radiation showed that there are aspects of the world that are invisible to the naked eye, but can be detected and studied through scientific exploration.

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