A few issues ago, Sky & Telescope ran a lengthy article about night
myopia, a possibly common phenomenon which can adversely affect dark
adapted eyes from seeing the dimmer objects in the sky that would
otherwise be obtainable. The author (and the editor) asserted that when
corrected using an eyeglasses prescription the faintest magnitude
visible without magnification is definitely improved.
I was skeptical, but I love doing experiments, so I ordered a set of
optician test lenses (called flippers) that could be used in the field.
Well, when I tried them out, I was astounded!! I could definitely see
stars using correction that were not visible without them. And the
image of all stars were improved. I will be conducting more tests in
the future to determine exactly which correction factor I need for my
eyes.
This seems like an important aspect in attempting to observe those
satellites that approach the limiting magnitude of visibility. I would
like to know if any of you have conducted experiments with night myopia,
if you have found correction helpful, and if so, what factor of
correction you decided upon.
--- Judy W1ORO
_~O __O Judy May tandembike@worldnet.att.net
_-\<,_-\<,_
(*)/---|/-(*) Life is a journey ... Enjoy the ride!
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