Why can you see heat waves in your peripheral view but not when you focus on them?

Question

I was in line at the bank yesterday and it got me all squiggly

In: Physics

Answer 1

This interesting question has been asked in various forms in this subreddit. Here’s one that might help.

ELI5: Why there’s a shadow of heat, but I can’t see it with my eyes?
byu/nazaro inexplainlikeimfive