For example, I’m sitting on my front porch which overlooks the town. Miles away I can see streetlights, signs, etc. How does the source project light to my location, yet doesn’t illuminate my location?
Holy moly friends, thanks for the awards and stuff. I didn’t think this question would spark so much interest, lol. I am thoroughly grateful for all your replies.
In: Physics
Imagine it is dark and you shine a torch at the wall. The light spreads out like a cone, getting more spread the further it gets from the torch. Some of the light hits the wall . Some gets absorbed by the paint and some gets bounced back. Some of that light hits you eye and that’s how you see. If you shine at a mirror a lot gets bounced back. If the wall is black less gets bounced back.
Ok so that’s reflected light. Each time it hits something only a fraction gets reflected/scattered back.
If your twin shines the same torch from a mile away at you, then the light that hits your eye hasn’t hit anything between the torch and your eye. That is direct light. Your eyes are sensitive and if everything else is dark then your eye will notice the one light even if it is far away.
It’s the same reason that looking at the sun will burn your eyes ( never do this ) . Direct sunlight is really really strong . But if it’s sunlight that’s bouncing off a tree or a person then most if the light is absorbed and scattered so then it’s ok and your eye can even distinguishes which bits of light it sees. Red…blue…etc.
The absorption of light is why thing get hot when left in direct summer sunlight, more so than when they are in the shade and only get reflected light
Our sun is a star that’s very close. Other stars are a long way away but we can still see them even when it’s dark.
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