Hello,
Last night I was at the observatory and a few of my students showed up to get extra points.(I teach Earth Science, Environmental Science, and Physical Science in high school).
Anyway, the sky wasn't very clear and with the excessive sky glow I needed averted vision to see the pleides. Three of my ninth graders, who don't know the difference between astronomy and astrology, looked up and asked me if those six stars that were very obvious to them were the big dipper. They could see the stars clearly.
This got me thinking about how much visual acuity I have lost in my 58 years. It has to be very significant. I wonder if anyone has estimates or can direct me to articles about the subject.
I know I have trouble splitting some double stars that were easy when I was a teenager and obviously I've lost a magnitude or so in seeing dim stars. I wonder if anyone has done research into this.
Thanks guys. I really like this site.
Tom B.
Last night I was at the observatory and a few of my students showed up to get extra points.(I teach Earth Science, Environmental Science, and Physical Science in high school).
Anyway, the sky wasn't very clear and with the excessive sky glow I needed averted vision to see the pleides. Three of my ninth graders, who don't know the difference between astronomy and astrology, looked up and asked me if those six stars that were very obvious to them were the big dipper. They could see the stars clearly.
This got me thinking about how much visual acuity I have lost in my 58 years. It has to be very significant. I wonder if anyone has estimates or can direct me to articles about the subject.
I know I have trouble splitting some double stars that were easy when I was a teenager and obviously I've lost a magnitude or so in seeing dim stars. I wonder if anyone has done research into this.
Thanks guys. I really like this site.
Tom B.