Ultraviolet Light: The Invisible Rays of the Sun

Ultraviolet (UV) light lies just beyond violet on the spectrum, invisible to human eyes.
The Sun is our main source of UV radiation, though some artificial lights produce it too.
UV rays are divided into UVA, UVB, and UVC, each with different effects and penetration levels.
UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn and skin damage.
Earth’s ozone layer blocks most harmful UVC and much UVB radiation.
Tanning beds use artificial UV light to darken skin by stimulating melanin.
UV light makes some minerals and inks fluoresce, glowing brightly under blacklight.
In medicine, UV lamps sterilize equipment by killing bacteria and viruses.
Too much UV exposure can cause skin cancer, eye damage, and premature aging.
Some animals, like bees, can see UV patterns on flowers that are invisible to humans.