Skywatching mysteries solved

[rfunk]

Well, duriyah's research resolved my question a couple weeks ago of what those bright lights in the sky were. But it didn't resolve the most puzzling aspect -- why was I seeing them as having such length?

I figured that one out this past weekend when we were sitting out under the full moon. I noticed Jupiter, and noticed that it had length. Then I moved my head to look directly at it.... and it was just a point. Moved my head back so it's in the corner of my vision, and it gets length again.

I finally realized that it was the optical lens distortion toward the edge of my glasses!

Having worn glasses since sixth grade, and being very nearsighted without them, I normally never even notice that distortion. I often forget that the glasses are there, and almost always forget that the correction introduces some distortion when I'm not looking straight ahead.

Comments

[duriyah.livejournal.com]

I'm actually kind of surprised, but not sorry, that I didn't think of the distortion at the edge of your glasses being the cause. But then I was much more nearsighted than you are and my lenses were consequently thicker (I should dig up my old pair of glasses) and I was always aware of lense distortion. I even remember making sure to hold my head at a particular angle when watching movies in a theater so the screen looked right.

It has only been a few years since I had Lasik, and I've already forgotten. Now all I have to deal with is starbursty lights at night. I do still occasionally try to push my glasses up my nose, though.