X-ray vision

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In science fiction stories or super hero comics, X-ray vision is the ability to see through physical objects at the discretion of the holder of... (more)

In science fiction stories or super hero comics, X-ray vision is the ability to see through physical objects at the discretion of the holder of this superpower. The most famous possessor of this power is DC comics iconic super hero character Superman.

Though called X-ray vision, this power has little to do with the actual effect of X-rays. Instead, it is usually presented as the ability to selectively see through certain objects as though they are invisible, translucent or not present, in order to see objects or surfaces beyond or deep to the affected object or material. Thus, Superman can see through walls to see the bad guys beyond, or see through Lois Lane's dress to determine the colour of her panties (in Superman, Warner Brothers, 1978). In such cases, the visions seen are generally in full color and three-dimensional. How such an effect might be created via x-rays is unexplained (the x-rays from the viewer's eyes would need to bounce back to his eyes the same way as normal light reflects off objects and into the viewer's eyes: x-rays simply pass through an object and continue on their way. X-ray films are made as x-rays pass through an object and then through the x-ray film. The images seen on x-ray film are "shadows" of the objects the x-rays passed through on their way to the film). As depicted, x-ray vision is actually more of a form of the supposed psychic ability of remote viewing.

In most cases, lead shielding can be used to prevent Superman from seeing through an object. Why lead and not other dense or denser materials (such as gold) is not explained.

In the television series Smallville, which presents alternative accounts of Superman's teenage years, growing up in his home town, the producers chose to represent the effects of his X-ray vision as a three-dimensional, colorized, computer-generated version of typical black and white x-ray film, an effect which is somewhat similar to contemporary thermal imaging which can be used to view heat sources through some solid objects.  (less)

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