Why is it easier to see a star if you look off to one side of it a little?

Answer 1

Because the centre of your retina is composed of cells which are good at distinguishing detail but poor at perceiving dim light, whereas the cells further out are better at perceiving dim light but poorer at distinuishing detail.

Answer 2

Because the most sensitive portions of your eye to light are the rods. The rods are spaced throughout the retina, but are of greatest density where there are no cones - this happens on the corners of your eyes (or, more specifically, back of your retinal wall). We can pick up the light from the stars better that way, but we cannot see their color (that requires cones). But, since stars are so far away we cannot see any color they produce anyway (at least, with our eyes).

Answer 3

It's due to the construction of the eye and where the optic nerve enters it. Where it enters is less sensitive to light. It's also right at the focal point behind the lens. So looking off to the side slightly puts what you're looking at off of that point to a more light sensitive area.

Answer 4

Is that a fact? I never noticed. I have 20/20 eyesight at age 36, so I see the stars just fine while looking straight at them. I noticed that using a computer all day is making my eyesight a little week, though. Need to dump this computer and quit using it.

Answer 5

peripheral vision. The light from the star is distorted in the atmosphere.IE: put a straw in a clear glass filled with clear water. The straw seemingly bends. So dose the light from the star.

Jerry

Answer 6

It's called averted vision. The cones in the the side of your eye are more sensitive to light.

Answer 7

I don't know if that's true, but if it is, it probably has something to do with the concentration of cones and rods in your eye and focal points on your retina.