Quote:
Originally Posted by bmitchell82
... even orion was starting to change a bit in colour not its normal blue hue.
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Hi Brendan,
Differences in color perception between individuals is interesting.
The topic of whether one can perceive color or not when observing M42 is
an old popular one.
For example, when I look at M42 with 8" of aperture, the first thing I think
of is that it is quite colorful, with lots of red/magneta and green watercolors.
This certainly is not any special skill and I guess I am just lucky.
Having assisted queues of the general public on occasion to look at M42
through telescopes, I have sometimes quizzed them as to what they saw
with respect perceiving color. Though I have never conducted a rigorous
study, I would say that the ability to discern at least the magneta/red and green
in M42 through 8" is the rule rather than the exception, based on the people I
have informally quizzed. Though one might speculate that a ten year old might
have better a stronger sense of color perception than, say, a sixty-five year
old, I also sense that age is not a big a detriment as it is with so many other
abilities. For example, sometimes when I quiz someone in their fifties or sixties
who has never looked at M42 in a telescope before and ask them whether
they see any color, the reaction can be a politer variant of "of course I see
it is in color. It is obvious, isn't it? Why are you asking me?"
Yet on other
occasions I have people even in their twenties and thirties tell me that it is
all just black and white, even when other younger and older family members
have no trouble perceiving it.
Some observers say they can see color in M42 naked eye.
Color perception is a complex and sometimes surprising and counterintuitive thing
and it is interesting to read some of the older papers on the subject by Edwin Land
of Polaroid fame.
With regards aperture, you are absolutely correct. Aperture rules. Hope
you get the chance to look through something even larger soon. 25" scopes
are available for views at events such as the IceInSpace Astrocamp and
South Pacific Star Party.
By the time you get up to 36" I can tell you you could barely be bothered
wanting to use digital imaging as it looks possibly even more spectacular
with your own eye ball in real time.
Happy New Year!
Best Regards
Gary