Why does the night sky look darker around a bright object?

Question

Couldn’t decide if this was more physics or earth science, so I’m sorry if the flair is incorrect.

Say you’re looking at a meteor shower or a plane’s lights – a light source that isn’t stationary like the moon, then look away at the rest of the night sky. Why does it appear darker in the “empty” space? Even the space that was once occupied by those light objects is darker. Why is that? Can anyone link any scientific papers or studies on the phenomenon? TIA.

In: Physics

Answer 1

Its not the night sky, its your eyes. Your eyes adjust to a relatively bright light of the moon or high intensity aircraft lights compared to the surrounding abyss of the night sky and far away stars.