Seeing Things
If you're trying to see something when it's dark, look near it rather than directly at it.
It's something to do with the position of the rods and cones in your eyes, apparently.
( owensanity, Fri 6 Feb 2009, 10:27, 5 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Almost
I think you mean look at the thing out of the corner of your eye, rather than directly at it. That works.
(Smale is stuffed, Fri 6 Feb 2009, 12:57, Reply)

or get a torch

( horace wimp needs more than 49 characters to fully express hi, Fri 6 Feb 2009, 17:14, Reply)

yes
If I recall; The light-receptors at the centre (back) of your eye are good at picking up fine detail and colour, but are relatively insensitive. The surrounding receptors only pick up monochrome (white light) at a lower 'resolution', but are more sensitive to low light levels.

In evolutionary theory, this has uses - you normally only need fine detail and colour information of whatever you're focusing on (say, prey hiding in that bush; or finding ripe berries) - both activities performed in daylight.

All you needed for peripheral vision is 'movement detection' - is there something (a threat) charging towards me? This could happen at any time, so it's best if it works day and night.

And no, I didn't resort to wikipedia.
( The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Sat 7 Feb 2009, 9:56, Reply)

space
Haven't they built a telescope that does this?
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Tue 10 Feb 2009, 9:16, Reply)

But...
How do I know where it is to not look at?
(SnowyTheWereRabbit the Leporid from Hell, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 13:49, Reply)