Abstract
IN three papers in The Journal of Physiology I have described a number of new visual phenomena which show that the photochemical stimulus is situated externally to the cones, and that the foveal region is sensitised from the periphery of the retina. The result of this is that at one moment the foveal region may be, the most sensitive part of the whole retina, and at another blind. The twinkling of stars may be imitated in the dark-room. If a small light be looked at in a dark-room, as, for instance, that coming through the smallest diaphragm of my colour perception lantern, which represents a 5½ in. bull's-eye railway light at a thousand yards when seen at a distance of 20 ft., care being taken not to move the eye, the light will appear to twinkle like a star. It will be noticed that pale bluish-violet circles start at the periphery of the field of vision, and, gradually contracting, reach the centre. On reaching the centre the light brightens. If the circles stop the light disappears. The colour of the circle is the same for white light or any colour.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
EDRIDGE-GREEN, F. The Twinkling of Stars. Nature 91, 189 (1913). https://doi.org/10.1038/091189b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/091189b0
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.