BellaOnline Forums Education Astronomy Star-gazing – Seeing in Dim Light *new*

How can you see an object by not looking at it? Why do aurorae and deep-sky objects tend to look grey? How can an eye patch and a red flashlight be useful to an astronomer? Why can a camera flash ruin a night's observing? Answers to all these questions are related to the way our eyes react to light.

Star-gazing – Seeing in Dim Light

One form of Vitamin A is part of the molecule in the rod cells of the retina that makes the response to light. If you aren't getting enough Vitamin A in your diet, one of the symptoms is poor night vision. Carrots are a good source of Vitamin A.

BUT if you're already getting enough Vitamin A, eating more carrots isn't going to improve your eyesight. In the Battle of Britain, Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots were publicly lauded for their excellent eyesight - which came from eating plenty of carrots! In fact, enemy planes were being shot down in greater numbers because the British had developed effective RADAR which they wanted to keep a secret.

When people see an aurora for the first time, after all those glorious pictures, they're surprised. But remember our eyes don't see color in dim light, so a weak aurora may seem be nothing more than shades of grey - the best way to be sure if it even is an aurora is to use your camera. This photographer has adjusted the color balance on his photo to show what he actually saw with his own eyes. What a difference.