Meet ‘Olo’: Scientists Unveil a Never-Before-Seen Colour Beyond Human Vision
In a remarkable breakthrough, scientists have discovered a completely new colour — one that lies outside the range of normal human vision. Named ‘Olo’, this vibrant hue can only be seen through advanced laser technology that stimulates the eye in a way natural light cannot.
Published in Science Advances on April 18, the study reveals that only five individuals have experienced the colour so far. They described Olo as somewhat resembling peacock blue or teal, but with an intensity and saturation far beyond anything previously witnessed.
“This colour is unlike anything we’ve seen — it’s incredibly saturated, and the brain’s response to it was jaw-dropping,” said Ren Ng, an electrical engineer at the University of California, Berkeley.
To unlock this visual marvel, researchers used lasers to directly stimulate the M cones in the retina — light-sensitive cells that aren’t naturally triggered in isolation. This precise laser manipulation created an entirely new visual experience, bypassing the eye’s standard limitations.
Austin Roorda, a vision scientist involved in the project, clarified that while an image of a turquoise square was shared as a loose representation, it doesn’t come close to the actual colour. “There’s no way to truly replicate Olo on a screen or paper. What we can show is only a pale shadow of the real experience,” he explained.
While the discovery of Olo opens fascinating doors into the science of vision, it’s not something that will be visible on TVs, smartphones, or even VR headsets. The researchers confirmed that the colour is far beyond what everyday technology can replicate — at least for now.
This discovery not only challenges our understanding of colour perception but also offers a rare glimpse into the potential capabilities of the human brain when gently nudged beyond its natural limits.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
