Why do we *see* colors of the stars ?

[skysurfer]

Yes, I know, star colors are a result of their spectral class and surface temperature following the blackbody law.

But during night our eyes have monochrome vision, due to the low light the color sensitive cones are disabled.
And yet brighter stars do show color.

Why ?

[bojan]

Because there is enough light to still have colour vision.. and because cones are never disabled - they are only less sensitive.

[sheeny]

Yep, as Bojan said... the brighter stars are just bright enough to trigger the cones.

Al.