Abstract
Is not the case mentioned by M. E. J. Gheury in NATURE of March 27 (p. 86) but a special case of the familiar fact that an object which is so like its background as to be invisible when at rest is commonly visible when it moves? In this case, as the telescope moved, the signal in its field of view was to the eye fixed to its eyepiece an object moving against the background of misty sky, which it so nearly resembled as to be invisible when at rest. Is not the explanation as follows? Visibility of the object, and in particular of its outline, depends on contrast between it and its background. There is commonly some contrast, but often so slight as not to attract attention when the object is at rest. When, however, the object moves, the brain receives successive impressions of contrast as the image of the object falls on one part of the retina after another. Thus the brain receives a cumulative impression of contrast between the object and the background, and the object becomes “visible.“
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BUTLER, G. On the Gain of Definition obtained by Moving a Telescope. Nature 91, 137 (1913). https://doi.org/10.1038/091137a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/091137a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.