Accessibility Links

  • Skip to Main Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Footer
Science Focus - the home of BBC Science Focus Magazine
Subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine Previous Issues Q&A Join the Science Focus Book Club
Sign In Register
Sign In Register
Settings Sign out
My account
Science Focus - the home of BBC Science Focus Magazine Science Focus - the home of BBC Science Focus Magazine
Sign up to our newsletters
    Sign up to our newsletters
    Future technology
    Nature
    Space
    The human body
    Everyday science
    Planet Earth
    Subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine
    Previous Issues
    Q&A
    Join the Science Focus Book Club
    1. Home
    2. Light

    Light

    Light is a fundamental part of the Universe. The speed of light in a vacuum is the cosmic speed limit: no matter how advanced our technology, we'll never travel faster than that. Since the speed of light is a natural measurement, we often measure distances in space in lightyears. The Sun's light is the ultimate source of all energy for life on Earth: without the warmth and energy from sunlight, not even plant life could exist.

    An illustration of what a black hole with an accretion disk © Getty Images
    Science news

    Researchers verify ‘extremely odd’ black hole physics

    UV light can be used to kill germs (Columbia University Centre for Radiological Research/PA)
    Science news

    Far-UVC light could be used against coronavirus without harming people

    Flashing blue lights switch on cancer-fighting cells © Getty Images
    Science news

    Flashing blue lights switch on cancer-fighting cells

    Advertisement
    Why the sky is dark at night © Getty Images
    Space

    Olbers’ Paradox Why the sky is dark at night

    Blue light from smartphones may lead to brain damage... in flies © Getty Images
    Science news

    Blue light from smartphones may lead to brain damage… in flies

    A glowing swell shark. © David Gruber / iScience
    Science news

    Light shed on secrets of glow-in-the-dark sharks

    Can taking digital photos damage art? © iStock
    Everyday science

    Can taking digital photos damage art?

    Why does light leave the position from which it is created? © Getty Images
    Everyday science

    Why does light leave the position from which it is created?

    Do two mirrors facing each other produce infinite reflections? © Getty Images
    Everyday science

    Do two mirrors facing each other produce infinite reflections?

    Advertisement
    Can weather forecasters predict rainbows? © Moron Eel
    Everyday science

    Can weather forecasters predict rainbows?

    SaraAndreasson_MosaicScience_Hero_C_01
    The Human Body

    Is the dark really making me sad?

    Why is red light used on submarines?
    Everyday science

    Why is red light used on submarines?

    How does ‘glow in the dark’ work? © Getty Images
    Everyday science

    How does ‘glow in the dark’ work?

    © Surrey Nano Systems
    Everyday science

    What is the darkest human-made substance?

    The cool gadgets list - April 2017
    Future Technology

    The cool gadgets list – April 2017

    • You're currently on page 1
    • Page 2
    • Page 3
    • Next
    359-homepage
    Special offer

    Two issues free when you subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    special-editions
    BBC Science Focus Special Editions

    Discover our latest special editions covering a range of fascinating topics from the latest scientific discoveries to the big ideas explained.

    ORDER NOW
    podcast-FOOTER-3
    Science Focus Podcast

    Listen to some of the brightest names in science and technology talk about the ideas and breakthroughs shaping our world.

    LISTEN

    Get our daily LUNCHTIME GENIUS newsletter

    Our daily newsletter arrives just in time for lunch, offering up the day's biggest science news, our latest features, amazing Q&As and insightful interviews. PLUS a free mini-magazine for you to download and keep.

    Thanks! Look out for your Lunchtime Genius newsletter in your inbox soon.

    Already have an account with us? Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences

    Sign in
    Register

    By clicking “sign up” you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how to do this, and how Immediate Media Company Limited (publisher of Science Focus) holds your personal information, please see our privacy policy.

    Site footer

    Science Focus - the home of BBC Science Focus Magazine
    • Visit us on Facebook
    • Visit us on Pinterest
    • Visit us on Twitter
    • Visit us on YouTube
    • Visit us on Instagram
    • Subscribe to our RSS feed
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Code of conduct
    • Licensing
    • Magazine subscriptions
    • Contact Us
    • Manage cookies
    Immediate Media
    This website is published by Immediate Media Company Limited under licence from BBC Studios Distribution. © Immediate Media Company Ltd 2021.
    Partner logo