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Belzebutt t1_ixb6pjp wrote

Reply to comment by _AlreadyTaken_ in Just how dark is deep space? by ArmchairSpinDoctor

What is this averted vision business you speak of?

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the_agox t1_ixbask3 wrote

The center of your vision is less sensitive to dim light (but much better at seeing color) than the periphery, so averted vision is looking at the blank space next to a dim thing you want to see, so that the sensitive part of your eye sees the dim thing

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Belzebutt t1_ixbhtge wrote

Ah, thanks! I’ll try it.

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mikmckn t1_ixbx3h5 wrote

This is also why you "see things from the corner of your eye." Your visual clarity is best in your central field of view, but your eyes are actually better at detecting motion at the periphery of your view. Your eyes detect the change in light better at the edges and your brain says "something just moved."

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NeverPlayF6 t1_ixcpyln wrote

You can try this in your own house. Just find a place with almost no light, let your eyes get accustomed to the dark, and then try to look an objects straight-on. They're very difficult or impossible to see. Then try looking next to that object. You should be able to see it.

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