SCIENCE

A New Color Beyond Human Vision

California, Berkeley, USASun Apr 20 2025
A group of vision researchers in California have found a way to see a color that humans usually can't. They used lasers to boost their eyesight. It's a big deal. This new color is so intense that it's hard to describe. It's like a super bright blue-green. They named it "olo. " Only five people have seen it so far. They say it's unlike anything they've ever seen before. The human eye can usually see a range of colors. But these scientists found a way to change that. They used laser pulses to activate special cells in their eyes. This let them see a color that's way more intense than what we normally see. The lead scientist, Austin Roorda, said it's impossible to show this color in an article or on a screen. The experience of seeing "olo" is nothing like seeing regular colors. It's much more vivid and intense. This discovery could lead to new ways to help people who are color-blind. It might even help create new colors for art and design. The researchers shared their findings in a study. They hope it will open up new possibilities for vision science. The team believes this technology could change how we see the world. It could also help people with vision problems. This is just the start. There's so much more to explore in the world of color and vision.

questions

    How do the scientists ensure that the laser pulses used to see 'olo' do not cause long-term damage to the retina?
    How do the scientists verify that 'olo' is a new color and not just a perceptual artifact?
    How does the subjective experience of 'olo' vary among the five individuals who have seen it?

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