why is it much easier to see a star out of the corner of my eye, than by looking strait at it?

Answer 1

It's called averted vision... here's a quote from the wiki link below: "Averted vision is a technique for viewing faint objects which involves not looking directly at the object, but looking a little off to the side, while continuing to concentrate on the object. This technique is very useful to astronomers, as it oftentimes allows them to see especially faint or otherwise invisible objects. By developing the technique, some observers report a gain of up to three or four magnitudes. There is some evidence that the technique has been known since ancient times, as it seems to have been reported by Aristotle while observing the star cluster now known as M41."

More info on the physiology of it at the link below....

Answer 2

Hi. I think it has something to do with our night vision .When we look at a star at night it is very bright and our night vision changes to view the star .When we shift our acute vision to our peripheral vision the star looses some of it's brightness which actually makes it easier to see.
The same thing happens with the planets. If you look at the planet Jupiter with your acute vision it is very bright.If you shift your vision to the side of Jupiter it is possible to see four of Jupiter's moons.
Cheers.

Answer 3

Because most stars are pretty shy and don't like to be stared at.

You might catch one out of the corner of your eye, but as soon as you turn to try to look at them properly, they whip on their sunglasses and duck behind a newspaper and you can't see them anymore.