Near infrared

Near infrared (NIR) light is a type of light that we can't see because it's invisible to our eyes. It's a special kind of light that has a wavelength that's longer than visible light, but shorter than the microwaves that are used in ovens. You know how you can see a rainbow with different colors like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet? NIR light is a color that's beyond violet, sort of like a secret color that only special cameras can see.

Just like how we use a flashlight to see in the dark or the sun gives us light during the day, NIR light is used by scientists and doctors to study things like cells, tissues, and organs in the human body. Because it's invisible to our eyes, they use special cameras and devices that can detect the light and turn it into images that we can see.

Some of the ways that NIR light is used include studying plant growth, detecting fake money, measuring the amount of fat in food or people's bodies, and even in space exploration. Overall, NIR light helps us understand things that we can't see with our own eyes and helps us make better and more informed decisions.