Why do stars seem to get more dim if I look directly at them?

Question

Why do stars seem to get more dim if I look directly at them?

In: 5

Answer 1

Night vision is based on your black and white (rod cells in your eyes) and not your color vision (cone cells in your eyes). You have way fewer rod cells in the center of your vision and more on the sides of your vision. So, you are more sensitive to faint light when you actually look away from the direct location of the Star.

Cone cells dominate the center of your vision, but aren’t as sensitive to faint light.