Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet light, or UV light, is a type of light we cannot see. It comes from the Sun and from some special lamps. UV light has more energy than the light we see. A little bit helps our bodies make vitamin D. Too much can burn our skin.

Good and Bad

UV light has both helpful and harmful effects. It helps our skin make vitamin D, which keeps bones strong. It can kill germs, so hospitals use UV lamps to clean tools. But too much UV can cause a sunburn. It can also hurt your eyes if you stare at the Sun.

How to Stay Safe

You can protect yourself from too much UV light. Wearing sunscreen blocks the harmful rays. Hats and long sleeves keep the Sun off your skin. Sunglasses help protect your eyes. The ozone layer high in the sky also blocks most of the Sun's UV light before it reaches us.

Fun Facts

• Bees can see ultraviolet light, which helps them find flowers.
• Some rocks and minerals glow under UV lamps.
• Scorpions glow bright blue under ultraviolet light.

Did You Know?

The 'SPF' number on sunscreen tells you how much protection it gives against ultraviolet rays.