UV and Infra Red, what are they used for?

cernobila · #1 10-08-2006, 11:30 PM

I may have a vague idea but need some expert answers to; what are the uses for both UV light and Infra Red light, thanks.

dyyys1 · #2 10-08-2006, 11:43 PM

Infrared is used by military people when they are using night vision equipment. An infrared flashlight will light things up if seen through NV goggles just like a normal flashlight, only you can't see it with your naked eye. Not so sure about the ultraviolet, though. Don't they use it to find blood at a crime scene?

Concept · #3 10-09-2006, 02:13 AM

UV is good for Urine stains, some watermarks on money and ID's, scorpian hunting (don't get many of them round here). And that effect at the nightclub I think Ive heard it called a blacklight? White shirts glow same as light flurescent colours.

cernobila · #4 10-09-2006, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Concept

UV is good for Urine stains, some watermarks on money and ID's, scorpian hunting (don't get many of them round here). And that effect at the nightclub I think Ive heard it called a blacklight? White shirts glow same as light flurescent colours.

OK, I heard about Scorpion hunting.....my wife asked me, (I want to know as well) why do people hunt Scorpions and why do they show up under UV?.....is it sport, food, venom collecting?

ROVER · #5 10-09-2006, 05:53 PM

UV lights are fun for me, because it's kind of cool to watch things fluouresce. Also, it's nice to point out marks on the carpet, even though it makes you think twice about sitting down.

I just watched a show about scorpions on the nature channel that said their skin reflects uv light instead of absorbing it as a means to keep them cool in the desert. This means that when you shine your uv light on them, they glow quite brightly. Some people might hunt them for fun, but if you live where they do---they aren't the funnest thing to have surprise you. I grew up in Texas, and can assure you that a scorpion in your shoe is an extremely unpleasant surprise. The little ones we had felt like someone snuffed a match on your skin when they stab you--not cool. If I had a uv light then, I would have done a quick scan of my room each night for peace of mind.

For me having UV leds and a black fluourescant light are novelty, but for some people, it's a bit more important.

PhotonWrangler · #6 10-09-2006, 06:41 PM

If you've got white dental fillings and you look at them under a UV lamp, you can clearly see where your tooth stops and the filling starts. They flouresce differently.

CM · #7 10-09-2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cernobila

OK, I heard about Scorpion hunting.....my wife asked me, (I want to know as well) why do people hunt Scorpions and why do they show up under UV?.....is it sport, food, venom collecting?

I hunt them down around my house and yard to kill them. Lest you go screaming to ASPCA, young children (which I have) can have very serious adverse reactions to being stung by scorpions. Otherwise, I believe in letting them be.

cernobila · #8 10-09-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CM

I hunt them down around my house and yard to kill them. Lest you go screaming to ASPCA, young children (which I have) can have very serious adverse reactions to being stung by scorpions. Otherwise, I believe in letting them be.

I know what you mean....in my yard I have to be careful with "Redback" spiders, these can also make you feel real unwell....pity these don’t shine under any kind of light....could have been another excuse to get more lights!