ELI5: Can you see radiation?

No, most radiation is invisible to our eyes. In everyday life, you can see some kinds of light, but many kinds of radiation are more like an invisible wave passing around you or through you.[1][2][4]

• Visible light is a kind of radiation that your eyes can see, like sunlight, lamps, and a rainbow.[1][7]
• Ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun is also radiation, but your eyes cannot see it, even though it can affect your skin.[1][4]
• Other everyday radiation, like radio waves, microwaves, and X-rays, is also invisible.[8][10]

• Your eyes are like a toy camera with only one small filter.
• That camera can see visible light.
• But it cannot see the other “colors” of radiation that are outside that tiny window.[1][7]

• The Sun can make your skin feel warm or get sunburned because of UV radiation.[4]
• Microwaves can heat food in a microwave oven.[8]
• X-rays can help doctors look inside your body.[10]