The X-Person known as Cyclops is as old as the X-Men themselves, appearing in the very first issue of the comic over 50 years ago. Since then his powers have become iconic. As long as his eyes are open they are firing powerful “optic blasts” of concussive ruby-tinted light. But if his eyes are always engulfed in visible radiation, how does he see?

In my latest Because Science, I’m taking a closer look at the anatomy of Scott Summers’ eyes. We known from the comics, movies, and TV shows that he can see, so how would his eyes have to be set up in order to do so? That’s where things get complicated. According to lore, Cyclops’ powers come from (stick with me here) portals to an energy-filled dimension located inside his eyeballs. If that’s the case, those portals can’t be located just anywhere if Scott wants to both see and shoot.

Could the portals be located at his pupils? Inside the transparent jelly behind his eyes’ lenses? At the very back of his eyes where photons are translated into vision? Only one of these options make the most sense (at least to me), which should change the way you think about mutant anatomy. Watch my latest episode above to see for yourself.

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