Is it possible for a human to see Ultra Violet Rays without any tools or machines?

Question

I fairly young man between 25 & 30 was employed where I work. He wears sunglasses all the time and is kinda off-the-wall. He was asked why he wears his cheap sunglasses inside all the time and he said it was because he could see ultra violet rays and it usually gives him a headache. Im not a rocket scientist but Im not stupid. And it has been a while since science class. Any rocket scientist out there???

Answer 1

ya it is possable but you have to be at a certain angle.

Answer 2

ultra violet light is above the blue end of the visual spectrum. Most of the time we can not see outside of the visual spectrum. Not saying it's impossible to see the seemingly hidden/invisible wavelengths either. The term 'sensitive people' maybe inclusive here. People are not always the same...there may be the odd one who can sense things we can't.

I would suspect that as people evolve...like actually really evolving forward, they would be able to see alot more of the EM spectrum.

Answer 3

Ultraviolet meas above the violet end of the spectrum. Everyone is slightly different as far as what exactly they can see.

Your one answer regarding albino individuals, has some merit. Their eyes are extremely sensitive and they wear dark glasses a lot. Some individuals get headaches from flashing lights such as fluorescent that need a ballast replaced ad strobe lights. That can also trigger epileptic seizures.. I need to wear sunglasses and a hat outside because I am sensitive to the sunlight. Brightness can trigger migraines. Or maybe he has something to hide behind the dark glasses.

Answer 4

I have my doubts.  But we know ultraviolet rays have measure able affects on tissues.  Who's to say that it is impossible for anyone to perceive those effects in some way.  When you feel the warmth of the sun, some of that radiation is ultraviolet.

Be that as it may, the fact he wears his sunglasses indoors is telling.  Unless there are windows with direct, unfiltered sunlight or full spectrum light sources inside, there are no UV rays to see.  Ordinary florescent and incandescent lamps do not put out UV rays.

Answer 5

WTH

Answer 6

Cameron -

I'm surely not a "rocket scientist".  Was your co-worker very blond... with pale blue eyes?  (No, you wouldn't  know the eye color:  Sunglasses!)  Anyhow, I remember reading that there were some rare individuals whose visible spectrum was significantly extended at the short wave length (violet) end.

I'm connecting this "ability" with very light pigmentation.

If I seem tentative it is because I am!  The piece I read  was a bunch of years ago - and I'm remembering generalities, not specific details.

Richard

Answer 7

noway