You ever wonder why the small band of spectrum we can see (called visible light) is special? I mean almost all animals see in light ranges are are somewhere around here. I mean sure some can see a little farther into IR or UV but in general all animals see roughly around this same narrow band of frequencies in an otherwise infinite spectrum... So what is so special?

Its actually a quantum thing. Everything roughly around visible light and higher interacts with material by electrons jumping energy levels. However IR energy is absorbed by the bonds between molecules instead, which is why IR represents heat.

Basically visible light is right where these two modes intersect. Essentially they are the lowest energy part of the spectrum that is still high enough energy to interact primarily through changing energy levels of electrons. Essentially any more energy and it wont really get through the atmosphere as extreme UV is cut off.. any lower and it wouldnt be very effecieient cause most of the energy goes to heating the eye rather than seeing... So its right in that sweet spot.

@freemo Is it only a coincidence, then, that the Sun’s peak energy output is at about the same spot as the middle of our “visible” light response? I always figured these were linked.

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@jqmcd

Good catch, and no not a coincident at all.. in fact the reason the sun peaks at that wavelength and the reason our atmosphere is transparent to those wavelenths is in fact the same mechanism.

I explain it here:

qoto.org/@freemo/1112397849794

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