Re: ATM - Color sensitivity of the eye

[Jim McKay <james.mckay@yale.edu>]

In case anyone is interested, I have received many replies to the question I
posed concerning the effect of color on the sensitivity of night vision.
The general consensus is that red light has the least effect on night
vision, but that it also needs to be dim in order to be effective.  Aside
from the obvious effect on pupil size, it would also seem that brighter
light keeps the rods and cones from becoming dark adapted no matter what the
color of the light.  The downside of using  red light is the loss of
resolution when looking at objects illuminated only in red light.  This
makes looking at star charts and such more difficult especially for us older
folks :-)  I wonder what a good compromise might be?  An eyepatch perhaps?
I guess that combined with a bandana to keep the biting insects off of my
bald spot might be a little strange looking (shades of Long John Silver ;-)

Thanks for all the replys,

Jim McKay