Zapped

From microwaves to wi-fi, the surprising science of all the light we cannot see

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Invisible light is everywhere. As you read this you are being swarmed by microwaves from your cell phone. Step outside and you'll get a dose of ultraviolet and infrared from the sun. Go on vacation and you submit to a full body security scan at the airport. Cell towers, tanning salons, microwave ovens, CT scans, mammogram machines, saunas, nuclear power plants - all are emitting radiation in your general direction. What effect is it having?

An accessible blend of narrative history and science, INVISIBLE LIGHT tells the story of the unseen energies all around us, tracing infrared, microwaves, ultraviolet, X-rays and other forms of radiation from their historic discoveries and oft-misguided early uses to their health costs (and benefits) in our daily lives. With a unique talent for making science relatable and fun, Bob Berman hunts for leftover light rays from the universe's birth, explores the consequences of our newest technologies, looks at how invisible light affects the brain, and even spends time with scientists attempting to detect broadcasts from extraterrestrials.

Lively, informative, and packed with "eureka moment" stories, INVISIBLE LIGHT will delight anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of our world.