No more cigars for me on the observing field

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I discovered this short article on the effects on seeing of smoking on the ASNSW website. No more cigars with Rocket Boy on the observing field for me....sorry Andrew.....

"Smoking Whilst Observing...Is It Really Worth The High?"
Alfred Monkowski, M.D.
All of us have stood beneath the stars looking up at a hazy patch hoping our telescope was a bit larger. We have looked at M1 trying to see the lacy filaments, or at M51, straining to see the hint of a spiral arm with a 6", remembering that clear night when a bit more detail was visible and the nebulous objects appeared more beautiful.
The desire to see more causes larger telescopes to appear and more frequent trips to the dark mountains to be made in order to grasp as many photons as the clear haze-free sky will allow to enter into our telescopes and then into our eyes.

But little thought is given to maximising the human physiological potential in order to see more. More importantly, little is done to stop impairing our seeing ability.

The photons that strike our retinas are only as useful as the retina's ability to respond to the incoming light. Colour sensitivity decreases and black and white perception increases as we go from the retina center to the periphery.

We all use averted vision to use the more sensitive peripheral retina, but let me address myself to what can decrease the sensitivity of the retina over all of its area.

It is easy to demonstrate that blood vessels are caused to constrict by various chemicals: If a naked person stands in a room about 75°F, his skin temperature will equilibrate at about 92°F (internal body temperature 98.6°F ± 1°F). All areas of the skin will be within 1°F as noted by infra-red photography.

After smoking ONE cigarette, the hands and feet darken on infra-red photographs, and the skin temperature over these areas is lower by 6 - 10°F compared to before smoking one cigarette. (Consider this effect on potentiating the likelihood of frost bite or simply discomfort on a cold winter night). A marked decrease in blood flow to these areas is easily demonstrable.

More sophisticated techniques have been used to measure the decrease in calibre of the retinal arteries (vessels that supply blood to the retina) in response to smoking one cigarette. The decrease is significant and results in raising the threshold of light perception. Consequently, if all else is equal, the non-smoker will see dimmer objects and details compared to a smoking companion. Nicotine is responsible for this.

The effect of nicotine starts within minutes of the smoke inhalation and lasts for about four hours. The nicotine is absorbed through the lungs and the moist mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, so those who do not inhale still experience the decrease in seeing ability. Therefore, TWO well-placed cigarettes can diminish your dark adaption for an entire night.

Aviators have been advised not to smoke until after night flights for the above reason.

No permanent diminution of dark adaption has been demonstrated to date, though in heavy smokers (2 packs per day) a 24 hour period of abstinence may be necessary for return to full dark adaptability.

Note...I have not been able to find a study that relates visual acuity with the use of marijuana. It would be interesting to know if one's seeing is impaired by marijuana in the same way as it is with tobacco.

Alfred Monkowski, M.D.

[Ric]

Hi Rod, a very interesting article indeed. I never realised it would have so much effect and for so long. Another reason to give up the smokes. I wonder what effect the patches would have as well.

cheers

[h0ughy (David)]

this topic was discussed last year at Queensland Astrofest as part of an overall talk on the eye and wearing glasses. Frightening stuff. after the talk we then lined up at the 30" scope to test our eyesight!

[ving (David)]

dont smoke, just dont smoke

[cahullian]

Cigarette's are bad but the good old bong is still ok
Ban the smokes and bring on the bong I say

Gazz

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I have heard that this has an effect, but have never seen any quantitative figures given. As I dont beleive that my night vision is any better or worse than average, I look forward to blitzing the field with super night vision when I give them up

[cahullian]

I wonder if passive smoking hinders the viewing pleasure of others???
Rod there may be work in this for you yet. he he

[fringe_dweller]

bollox! nicotene is a superb simulant and studies have shown it enhances the thought process immensly - not to mention keeping you awake!
its the other crap in cigs that kills ya!
only after the stroke/heart attack/ and incapacitation due to emphysema/complications ect. will the observing not be so good maybe oh and the long term damage to sight thru macular degeneration ect. of course, but gazz is right the his particular poison will loosen/slacken the walls of the capillaries to allow much greater blood flow (red eyes) and reverse the effects of the cigs!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Just don't put any tobaccy with yer pot.

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Hi Rod

Many thanks for the post - interesting read.

Cheers Petra

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

well alcohol is even worse for night vision..so no red wine either Rod

is it worth it?

[fringe_dweller]

hehe now we know what Edwin Hubble put in that eternaly fuming pipe!

re studies of pot on vision, I would refer you/them to studies done on the jamacian night fishermen who for generations have supposedly used the stuff to make a living this way, (there was a 60 min thing on it once, many years ago in the swingin '80s maybe?) it turned out thc increases the amount of visual purple/Rhodopsin produced in the eye/retina, giving you exeptional night vision, almost cat like!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodopsin

NOTE: Not that that is good reason to mess with a potentially (in around 10% of pop.?) life ruining drug of, in some cases, potential dependence, and not to mention the propensity to get the 'hey man' and total dag i.e. neil from the young ones syndrome ect.
peace

[fringe_dweller]

hmmm ...correction: I think the thc actually stimulates production of a chemical in the brain that mimics the visual purple chemical in the retina?

anyway your not supposed to draw the smoke into your lungs with cigars, you gotta smoke them like famously clinton did with pot , your supposed to absorb the nicotene and flavour through your mouth/mucous membrane! heathens!

[asimov (John)]

My eyesights better than any darn cat fringy! I creep up on 'em at night N' scare the ninth life outa them! he-hee!

[fringe_dweller]

lmao! so thats you!? i've heard of the nocturnal exploits of the wild 'catman' of Cummins

[Ric]

What! no port pipe with my viewing

My god, is the world totally uncivilized
Oh well back to the Bundy on ice.

cheers

[GrahamL]

No beer, no fags !!.. next it will be no junk food and sweets
or farts when will it end ?

[Lee]

It's a well known fact that the retina is one of the most oxygen sensitive tissues in the body, or sensitive to lack of oxygen. Replace some oxygen in your blood with carbon monoxide and you won't see as well.... you may as well put an aperture mask over your scope!
And it makes your breath stink....
And it will kill you, eventually.....

[avandonk]

That is why I built a stepper focuser and a real time electronic finderscope. So I could drink and smoke all night! Both drinking and smoking reduce all sorts of perfomance and eye acuity and sensitivity is the first affected.
I think we all die eventually and it is only how prematurely and why. Due to excess or boredom?
It is up to each one of us to work out what the priorities are.

Bert

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

The advantage of Smoking Hooch over Tobaccy is that with the Hooch ya don't need a telescope to see things

I am against Dope, and I don't drink which is the worst of all for night vision, so atleast I'm half way to having good night vision. Now I just have to work out how to kick the ciggies.