Technique for viewing faint objects with periperal vision
Averted vision is a technique for viewing faint objects which uses peripheral vision. It involves not looking directly at the object, but looking a little off to the side, while continuing to concentrate on the object. This subject is discussed in the popular astronomy literature[1] but only a few rigorous studies[2][citation needed] have quantified the effect.
There is some evidence that the technique has been known since ancient times, as it seems to have been reported by Aristotle while observing the star cluster now known as M41.[3] This technique of being able to see very dim lights over a long distance has also been passed down over hundreds of generations of sailors whose duties included standing lookout watches, making one better able to spot dim lights from other ships or shore locations at night. The technique has also been used in military training.[4]
The same technique can be employed with or without a telescope (looking to the side with the naked eye or looking towards the edge of the telescope's field of view).[5] An additional technique called scope rocking may also be used, which is done by simply moving the telescope back and forth slightly to move the object around in the field of view. This technique is based on the fact that the visual system is more sensitive to motion than to static objects.[6]
^Berman, Bob, “Tormented by open clusters”, Astronomy, March 2019, p. 12.
^Alexander, RG; Mintz, RJ; Custodio, PJ; Macknik, SL; Vaziri, A; Venkatakrishnan, A; Gindina, S; Martinez-Conde, S (2021). "Gaze mechanisms enabling the detection of faint stars in the night sky". European Journal of Neuroscience. 54 (4): 5357–5367. doi:10.1111/ejn.15335. PMC 8389526. PMID 34160864.
^M41 possibly recorded by Aristotle
^Dyer, JL; Mittelman, MH (1998). "Evaluation of an unaided night vision instructional program for ground forces". Military Psychology. 10 (3): 159–172. doi:10.1207/s15327876mp1003_2.
^Azevedo, FS; Mann, MJ (2016). Embodied Cognition in Observational Amateur Astronomy. International Conference of the Learning Sciences. International Society of the Learning Sciences.
^Griffiths, M (2012). Planetary Nebulae and How to Observe Them. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 33.
Avertedvision is a technique for viewing faint objects which uses peripheral vision. It involves not looking directly at the object, but looking a little...
detection, measuring optical flow, color constancy, or circadian rhythm. Avertedvision Bitemporal hemianopsia Depth perception Eye movement Eye movement in...
effect. Photopic vision – Visual perception under well-lit conditions Adaptation (eye) – Response of the eye to light and dark Avertedvision – Technique for...
M15, M4, M5, and M22 are naked-eye objects M33 is easily visible with avertedvision limiting magnitude with 12.5" reflector is 16 4 Brighter rural 6.3–6...
particularly dark and a particularly faint celestial object is of interest, avertedvision may be helpful. The stars of the night sky cannot be counted unaided...
making it a difficult naked eye target even with dark conditions with avertedvision. However, with a moderate-sized telescope, the cluster can be seen as...
invention of the telescope. Ability in this area, which requires the use of avertedvision, varies substantially from observer to observer, with both youth and...
apparent magnitude of 5.8, Messier 13 may be visible to the naked eye with avertedvision on dark nights. Messier 13 is prominent in traditional binoculars as...
motion at all. One way of changing the direction perceived is to use avertedvision and mentally look for an arm going behind instead of in front, then...
by many people. Additionally, M74 may be more easily seen when using avertedvision when the eyes are fully dark adapted. List of Messier objects Wikimedia...
pollution, ranging from easily visible in direct vision in truly dark skies to a difficult avertedvision object in rural/suburban skies. Centaurus A (NGC...
dim lighting. Hence, in order to observe dim stars, astronomers use avertedvision, looking out of the side of their eyes where the density of rods is...
by people using direct vision in deep rural locations under a dark, clear, transparent sky, to requiring use of avertedvision by observers in locations...
obscuring the surrounding nebula. However, it can be viewed well using avertedvision, which causes it to "blink" in and out of view as the observer's eye...
cluster M13 in Hercules. The Triangulum Galaxy (M33) is a difficult avertedvision object and only visible at all if it is higher than 50° in the sky....
on the west hinders observation, but one can view the nebula using avertedvision. Using a 16-to-18-inch (410 to 460 mm) scope, one can see that the faint...
smaller reflection nebula component requires a larger instrument and avertedvision to be seen. Circinus also houses ESO 97-G13, commonly known as the Circinus...
the observer to know how to navigate the sky precisely, and rely on avertedvision when needed. In some Palomars, visual observers can resolve individual...
astronomers have to look at stars through the "corner of their eyes" (avertedvision) where rods also exist, and where the light is sufficient to stimulate...
Clifford; Hawley, Sandra; Kett, Joseph; Rieser, Andrew (2009). The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People, Volume 1: To 1877, Concise. Cengage Learning...
that is about to occur. After avoiding their foretold deaths seen in the visions, the survivors are later killed one by one (usually in the order they died...
"Canada's Experiment with Aboriginal Self-Determination in Nunavut: From Vision to Illusion". International Journal on Minority and Group Rights. 15 (2–3):...
fall, and finally an unending darkness will descend. This can only be averted if the family kills one of their number as a sacrifice. Andrew and Eric...
Seychelles to oppose an attempted coup against René. The intervention of India averted the coup. This mission was codenamed as Operation Flowers are Blooming...
Global Information