I have used the technique off and on for quite a while - and it's great. But it was my first view of the Andromeda Galaxy that made its effectiveness so clear (forgive the pun) - I had been trying for year to see the galaxy, but was always frustrated - and impatient. One particularly dark night, determined to see Andromeda, I waited for an hour to let my eyes adjust. I then began glancing to the right and left and then left and right where it was supposed to be. Then it just appeared. Wham. First a soft grey fuzz, and then a sharp spiral, and back again to soft - I yelped! Amazing. So, be patient! Not me, but you can be!
I remember my first time seeing Andromeda as well. It really is a site to see. And looking at it through a telescope is always special. I hope everyone gets to see it in their lifetime. Thank you for sharing. 🌌
I’ve practiced this technique for decades. Not only is it useful for celestial -gazing, but I’ve used it for other night-vision viewing as well. As a nurse, I knew the anatomy & physiology of the eye & why this works. It doesn’t make the effect any less “magical”!!!!
I have used this for many years, in fact asked my optometrist about this as I thought maybe an early sign of Macular degeneration and he explained this is how our eyes work, Much to my relief. Thanks for the info. this is the first time I've seen info on this on TH-cam.
This was very helpful! I have at times accidentally noticed the phenomenon of averted vision, but never have practiced it consciously. Now I certainly will. Thank you!
Good stuff! I never knew there was a name for this phenomenon! I've been doing this since about 84! Before you ask, yes, I plan to be one of the few people who see Haley's comet twice in their lifetimes. Haha! The first time I noticed this optical oddity, I was looking at Mizar and Alcor in Ursa Major. When looking at them unaided I wasn't able to resolve both stars, but through the binoculars the distance between them seemed vast enough to be seen with the unaided eye. Eventually I overcame my residual Neanderthal DNA and noticed that when I looked to the side of them a little bit, both stars became clearly discernable! It blew me away that not looking at something as hard could possibly, somehow make it clearer! Haha! This technique has been a favorite of my tool box ever since. Thank you very much for the information about this, for clearing that up for me! I've definitely had my "Ah ha!!" moment for today!
My favorite astronomy teacher. Also make sure the red light isn't too bright either, because if it is it will still mess with your night vision. I have a red led bulb flashlight that is so bright I had to put some medical tape to tone it down. I used averted vision to spot Sirius-b, Sirius' binary takes an orthoscopic eyepiece and a good seeing night to spot Sirius-b as it is a white dwarf next to the brightest star in the sky. I like searching for multiple star systems, like Lyra's double double, two binaries next to each other in Lyra called epsilon1 and epsilon 2 Lyrae. They are not far from Vega and can be seen with good binoculars.
Useful information! The Buddhist practice of moon gazing does the same but gazing to a point below. One critique I hope is useful is that if you are talking about the side of the eye, you should have presented the eye looking up, so we really undertand you refer to its right and left inner walls. The way its displayed and spoken, it leaves room for confusion. Also, it would have been useful to draw a circle or an icon of an eye exactly on the spots near the cluster, instead of only verbalising "the side". The only time this is done, it's a circular arrow not clearly following anything you mention. Great topic, I hope you can implement these improvements.
Thank you for your feedback…what’s funny is that in my draft video I did explain the eye diagram in more depth, but then I took it out. I should trust my gut next time.
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I have used the technique off and on for quite a while - and it's great. But it was my first view of the Andromeda Galaxy that made its effectiveness so clear (forgive the pun) - I had been trying for year to see the galaxy, but was always frustrated - and impatient. One particularly dark night, determined to see Andromeda, I waited for an hour to let my eyes adjust. I then began glancing to the right and left and then left and right where it was supposed to be. Then it just appeared. Wham. First a soft grey fuzz, and then a sharp spiral, and back again to soft - I yelped! Amazing. So, be patient! Not me, but you can be!
I remember my first time seeing Andromeda as well. It really is a site to see. And looking at it through a telescope is always special. I hope everyone gets to see it in their lifetime. Thank you for sharing. 🌌
What spiral? Andromeda is not a face on galaxy.
I’ve practiced this technique for decades. Not only is it useful for celestial -gazing, but I’ve used it for other night-vision viewing as well. As a nurse, I knew the anatomy & physiology of the eye & why this works. It doesn’t make the effect any less “magical”!!!!
"So take a friend with you"....well this is how all my stargazing attempts fails on step one.
@@MountainFisher that's the most desperate seeking-for-friend comment I've ever seen.
Thanks Janine. I always use averted vision when viewing faint galaxies like Markarians chain.
I hope to see the Markarian chain some day through a telescope.
I have used this for many years, in fact asked my optometrist about this as I thought maybe an early sign of Macular degeneration and he explained this is how our eyes work, Much to my relief. Thanks for the info. this is the first time I've seen info on this on TH-cam.
This was very helpful! I have at times accidentally noticed the phenomenon of averted vision, but never have practiced it consciously. Now I certainly will. Thank you!
This is one of the most amazing playlists for learning the sky. This channel is aptly named and underrated. Love from India!
Thank you for your kind words.
Full appreciation for the info on the time to allow adjustment for the eyes. I was fsiling on this allowance.
Good stuff! I never knew there was a name for this phenomenon! I've been doing this since about 84! Before you ask, yes, I plan to be one of the few people who see Haley's comet twice in their lifetimes. Haha! The first time I noticed this optical oddity, I was looking at Mizar and Alcor in Ursa Major. When looking at them unaided I wasn't able to resolve both stars, but through the binoculars the distance between them seemed vast enough to be seen with the unaided eye. Eventually I overcame my residual Neanderthal DNA and noticed that when I looked to the side of them a little bit, both stars became clearly discernable! It blew me away that not looking at something as hard could possibly, somehow make it clearer! Haha! This technique has been a favorite of my tool box ever since. Thank you very much for the information about this, for clearing that up for me! I've definitely had my "Ah ha!!" moment for today!
I love having ‘ah ha’ moments. I’m glad this video helped you. Thank you for sharing your experience! 🌌
My favorite astronomy teacher. Also make sure the red light isn't too bright either, because if it is it will still mess with your night vision. I have a red led bulb flashlight that is so bright I had to put some medical tape to tone it down.
I used averted vision to spot Sirius-b, Sirius' binary takes an orthoscopic eyepiece and a good seeing night to spot Sirius-b as it is a white dwarf next to the brightest star in the sky. I like searching for multiple star systems, like Lyra's double double, two binaries next to each other in Lyra called epsilon1 and epsilon 2 Lyrae. They are not far from Vega and can be seen with good binoculars.
I love Lyra’s double double! Such a beautiful system. Thank you for sharing your extra tips! 😁🌌
@@learnthesky Janine did you know the Lyrae double doubles are triple triples? Need a telescope to see them though.
I did not! I must learn about this immediately.@@MountainFisher
Very much part of my star hopping!!
Useful information! The Buddhist practice of moon gazing does the same but gazing to a point below. One critique I hope is useful is that if you are talking about the side of the eye, you should have presented the eye looking up, so we really undertand you refer to its right and left inner walls. The way its displayed and spoken, it leaves room for confusion. Also, it would have been useful to draw a circle or an icon of an eye exactly on the spots near the cluster, instead of only verbalising "the side". The only time this is done, it's a circular arrow not clearly following anything you mention. Great topic, I hope you can implement these improvements.
Thank you for your feedback…what’s funny is that in my draft video I did explain the eye diagram in more depth, but then I took it out. I should trust my gut next time.
My dad taught me that when I was little. But I never really knew why it works.
👍👍
Why do nebulas look like human eyes and not dragon fly eyes or eyes of any other species. Unless you count husky eyes. Is God a husky or something.
For globs this is the difference between a hazy blur and a hazy blur with some pin point stars.
If you astronomier tell me
I heard ancient Arabs used stargazing to assess vision and used the averted Vision trick.