Portland Public Library

Zapped, from infrared to X-rays, the curious history of invisible light, Bob Berman

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Zapped

bibliography

965766668

Bob Berman

from infrared to X-rays, the curious history of invisible light

"'Zapped' tells the story of all the light we cannot see, tracing microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, infrared, ultraviolet, and other forms of radiation from their historic, world-altering discoveries in the nineteenth century to their central role in modern life. Along the way, Berman sets the record straight on the health costs (and benefits) of radiation and explores the consequences of our newest technologies"--Front flap of dust jacket

Introduction -- Light fantastic -- Now you see it, now you don't -- The green planet and the red heat -- Hot rays -- Ultraviolet brings the blues -- Danger beyond the violet -- Energy rhythms -- The exploding sun -- No soap -- Turning on and tuning in -- The speed that destroyed space and time -- Microwaves everywhere -- The man with the X-ray vision -- Röntgen rays for everyone -- What's in your basement? -- The atomic quartet -- Gamma rays : the impossible light -- Cell-phone radiation -- Cosmic rays -- Beams from the universe's birth -- Energy from our minds -- Ray guns -- The next frontier : zero-point and dark energies -- Total solar eclipse : when the rays stop -- ETs may be broadcasting, but what's their number? -- Does light have a bright future?

From infrared to X-rays, the curious history of invisible light