[LVAS] Astro-Goggles

Wed Sep 9 08:51:25 PDT 2009

Rob,

For clarification I am glad that you asked the question regarding the loss of night vision when using a LED red light. Another good point, these are not night vision goggles, but only glasses with red lenses.

I have discovered that when alternating between sketching and notes, it takes at least 10 minutes to get back to the level before using my red-light. 

I sometimes use my AG's for drawing and to take notes of very, very faint deep-sky objects. Of course I must remove them to observe through the scope. 

If I can see a 13th magnitude with averted vision, fleeting in and out, and not being able to hold it constantly. It will be impossible for me to see it again until my eyes have fully adapted again after performing part of a sketch or taking a few notes. Even with the AG's and an LED my eye sensitivity requires at least 10 minutes to get back to full dark adaptation.

LED's like any other light have negative effects on your night vision. This is especially true when you are performing the fine detail work like that of the LVAS at current for the observers challenge. 

Rob, one of my greatest desires at current is to be able to attend the Cathedral George or Death Valley observing sessions. 

Sharing views and discussing deep-sky objects is a fabulous exercise in seeing more, and improving your visual acuity. I promise that two can see much more than one...even looking into different scopes. At one time, years ago, Tom English and I used this technique very often with great success. It would be an alternating discussion of what each observer was seeing at that moment through their own scope. There would be many crossings to the other scope.

roger

    The moon and stars to govern the night.....   Psalm 136:9

> Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 07:54:08 -0700
> From: scopegeek at gmail.com
> To: lvas at lvlug.org
> Subject: Re: [LVAS] Astro-Goggles
> 
> Roger,
> 
> I'm not sure of your meaning in this statement: "Using a red light can
> reduce your dark adaptability significantly for the longest time."
> 
> Are you saying that using a red light hurts your night vision or that it
> reduces the time required for you to become dark adapted? English is such a
> precise language, you know.
> 
> Hopefully, folks realize that these are simple red-lens goggles and not
> night-vision goggles in the sense of increased light sensitivity. But, you
> can't assume anything, now-a-days, can you?
> 
> BTW - I, too, will try to observe the Small Scope Challenge Objects again
> this month. I just hope Cathedral Gorge is dark and cloud free. I hope you
> can make it out to one of our Cathedral Gorge or Death Valley outings in the
> future. I would enjoy observing side by side with you sometime.
> 
> Take care.
> 
> Rob
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Sep 9, 2009 at 6:23 AM, roger ivester <drivester at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> >
> > All,
> >
> >
> >
> > I purchased this pair of astro-goggles many year ago. They seem to be
> > unavailable at current. Most amateurs today have never even heard of them.
> >
> >
> >
> > If you are unfamiliar with the goggles, they can protect your night vision
> > if you have to use a flashlight or go back into your house. If an object is
> > extremely dim I can both sketch and take notes intermittently while
> > observing. I observe through the eyepiece and then remove them for the
> > intermittent sketching and notes.
> >
> >
> >
> > Using a red light can reduce your dark adaptability significantly for the
> > longest time. I also put them on while selecting a different eyepiece. Be
> > advised, you cannot walk in the dark and you "definitely" could not drive
> > with them on.
> >
> >
> >
> > If you remove your eye from the eyepiece and do other things with a red
> > light you will not be able to see that 13m star or 15th magnitude galaxy. I
> > put them on in the house at least 15 minutes before I go out. Your time to
> > dark adapt will be greatly reduced.
> >
> >
> >
> > Does anyone own or is familiar with these goggles?
> >
> >
> >
> > This is an important part of "optimized" observing to see the faintest
> > details possible.
> >
> >
> >
> > Roger Ivester
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > The moon and stars to govern the night..... Psalm 136:9
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
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> >
> >
> 
> 
> -- 
> Rob Lambert
> 702-461-1390
> _______________________________________________
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