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
Light sources “illuminates” an area by sending out light rays (photons). Those rays hit surfaces, get partially absorbed then bounce back carrying the surface’s color with them. For this to work well you need a lot of rays hitting the same area and bouncing back to your eye.
The farther away from the source you are the less dense the rays are (imagine a shotgun blast opening up as it flies out).
Less rays means that there are very few chances enough of them will bounce off the same surface and back into your eye to carry the color. As a result your surrounding aren’t “illuminated”.
However, nothing is preventing the couple stray rays from hitting you straight in the eyeball.
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