The Discovery and Science of Infrared Heat Explained

Robert Fosbury, Astronomer and Professor of Ophthalmology, explains how William Herschel made his discovery of infrared back in 1800. Take a listen to Robert as he explains how Herschel made his incredible discovery using a prism to study the heating effect of different colours of light. Watch as Robert uses a prism to produce a spectrum of colours on the wall of William Herschel's very own home - the very home from which William Herschel also discovered the planet Uranus in March 1781 (now The Herschel Museum of Astronomy). Robert also describes how infrared is "comforting heat" and "a very natural form of heating". With huge thanks from Herschel Infrared to Robert Fosbury, the whole team at The Herschel Museum of Astronomy and Shamengo in the filming of the video.