Even in the dark, most of us can still see. Well, we can see up to a point. Animals, on the other hand, are able to see a lot more detail in low-light or no-light situations than us and the following explains some factors, both biological and environmental, that make this possible.

Augmented Human Vision We have two ranges that we incorporate to intensify our night vision they are known as the spectral range and infrared range. When we use our spectral range it allows us to take advantage of what is normally invisible to the naked eye. We can see into the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum's with the aid of such products as night vision goggles and binoculars. Special infrared optics in digital camera's also allow us to see within the infrared spectrum and can be used in thermal imaging as well.

Biological Human Vision As humans we have three types of vision that we naturally use in order to be able to see within any lighting situation, they are known as photopic, mesopic and scotopic. We see over a range of several million to one and with the photopic vision we see the highest light levels and this is what we use in the daytime. Scotopic works in extremely low light situations while our mesopic vision is what we use in low-light when no detail can be seen. When human eyesight goes from bright to dark, or dark to light it can take up to forty-five minutes for the eye's to adjust properly, but with animals it happens immediately.

Tapetum Lucidum A number of vertebrate animals rely on a layer of tissue called the tapetum lucidum located behind or within their retinas. There are four types of tapetum lucidum found in the variety of animals on the planet. This masterpiece of nature allows the light to be refracted back into the retina, allowing animals to have augmented vision which enables them to see in the dark. This happens instantly for them. The eyeshine you see in animals like cats, dogs, deer when light hits their eyes in the dark is a result of the tapetum lucidum. The eyeshine can occur in different colors like red, green or blue, depending on the animal.

Biological Animal Vision These are a few examples of how different animals can see in the dark.

Pit Vipers, and many other snakes, find their prey at night by smell and tasting the air and the use of deep pits on the side of their head that help them detect heat as a form of thermal vision.

Night Optics D-112 3.6x 1st Generation Plus Night Vision Monocular Night Optics D-112 3.6x 1st Generation Plus Night Vision Monocular D-112 3.6x 1st Night Vision Monoculars D-112 3.6x 1st Generation Plus Night Vision Monocular

Fruit Bats have a folded retina that they use in conjunction with sonar allowing them to navigate and find food in the dark.

Owls have the ability to see small animals at the distance of a football field away. They have special lenses that can magnify information in the same way a telescope does.

Rays and sharks have flat refractive crystals of guanine that activate in murky waters to allow better sight.

ATN Night Storm-2I 3.5x Night Vision Monocular (Yellow) ATN Night Storm-2I 3.5x Night Vision Monocular (Yellow), Waterproof, Export Model, 2nd Generation Intensifier Night Storm-2I Yellow Night Vision Monoculars Night Storm-2I 3.5x Night Vision Monocular (Yellow)

So as far as the naked eye is concerned it's pretty obvious that many if not all animals have a definite edge over us humans when it comes to seeing in the dark. But as luck would have it us humans have been able to develop night vision technology to the point where we can see very clearly in almost total darkness. But if you think your eye's can now compete with those of an animal I'm afraid you are sadly mistaken.

By Craig Mooney

Night vision technology has advanced so much in the past few years that it is being used in everyday life. Night goggles are frequently used for surveillance by security companies and outdoors men have incorporated the technology into their hunting scopes which enables them to hunt at night when most wild life are active.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Mooney
http://EzineArticles.com/?Night-Vision-Optics---Human-Versus-Animal&id=2542616

Related Blogs

• ATN® 5X – HPT Night Vision Binoculars | Pfeifer Perez | kotisearch.com
• What is the best night vision software for a webcam?

Technorati Tags: night binoculars, Night Goggles, night vision devices, night vision equipment

Hunting itself has been a hobby for those who love to explore the outdoors. Night hunting has gained in popularity among people who enjoy the rush and excitement of chasing after prey. Not know what is hiding in the dark is what makes a night hunting trip even more exciting. In the absence of light, tracking, catching, and killing prey is much more difficult.

Night vision devices give hunters an advantage over their prey in the field. These night vision devices or NVDs increase a hunter's visual acuity resulting in increased success. Night vision devices come in the form of binoculars, monoculars, goggles and even rifle scopes . With these devices, hunters get a clearer view of what is lurking in the dark.

Be an Invisible Night Hunting Expert - Understand How Night Vision Devices Work

Night vision devices or NVD can help hunting enthusiast by gathering light from the moon, the stars, and other possible light sources and centering it on the front lens to give your camera a clearer image of what is hiding in the dark. Night vision equipment gathers light and then directs light into the photocathode tube which can convert the photons to electrons.

After the electron conversion takes place, a host of electrical and chemical process will multiply the number of electrons present. After magnification, the electrons are hurled onto a phosphorus screen and the electrons are then converted into light. This process allows you to see the image which appears in a green-hue scene.

Night Vision Device are a Great Treat for a Nighttime Hunting Trip

Great Value Night Vision Goggles

ATN Viper Expandable Night Vision Goggle System

Newcon Optik Night Vision Night Scope Goggles NZT 22

Bushnell Night Vision Goggle with Headgear

There are a lot of units and types of night vision devices which hunters can use in scoping out their prey in the dark. Night vision equipment falls into four categories: 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation types. You should take note that each of these generations of night vision hunting devices only vary according to the type of light intensifier tube that is used. First generation types are the most popular these days. First generation types are both affordable and most recommended for conventional use.

Night hunting can be an exciting hobby as long as you have the right equipment to back you up. So, give your hunting buddies and plan a night hunting exhibition. Equip yourself with the latest night vision equipment (binoculars, monocular, goggles, or even a scope), dress warm, and pack some beef jerky because your prey will never know what hit 'em.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/water-sports-articles/night-hunting-playing-predator-in-the-dark-756716.html

Author: Stephen Cauldry

About the Author:

Having the right equipment can make or break a hunting exhibition. Don't come home empty handed because you weren't prepared. BinocularsAnnex.com carries a huge selection of night vision binoculars, night vision monoculars and night vision rifle scopes . Visit us today.

Technorati Tags: binoculars, goggles, Hunting, Monoculars, night vision equipment, Rifle Scopes

Having night vision scope is an advantage as you can keep a proper check on the activities of your opponent even in dark and cloudy environs.

Working of night vision scope

It is really great to know the functioning of this Night Vision Rifle Scope. Human eye has its own spectrum of visibility and a person is not capable to view the images that falls beyond the range of spectrum. A person has to adjust his eyes whenever he enters in a room with little light. However, after some time he can view the images clearly and evidently. Basically, these Night Vision Rifle Scopes works on the behalf of human eye, only that diminutive light is intensified so that our eyes could see the imagery clearly. Although, we do not see through night vision goggles or night vision scope, only the front view is displayed to us through phosphor coated screen. One can also take it as a screen of television within the Night Vision Equipment. Now with several advancements in technology, various recent methodologies have incorporated in night vision scopes like image intensification and thermal imaging.

Thermal night vision scope

Along with image intensifying, other efficient technique on which night vision equipments work is thermal imaging. This technique is sophisticated as compared to previous one as it works with the heat emitted by several objects. Another name defined for this technique is infrared night vision scope. By using this technique, you can easily differentiate several objects. As a human body has the capability to release more heat as that of trees and stones, you will not counter any major difficulty while recognizing the person. Also the presence of any human in dark will cause more amplified white or red color on the screen of night vision equipment.

Night vision devices are relatively expansive but also are very effective especially when you want to see lucid and crystal clear pictures in cloudy and moonless sky.

Technorati Tags: night vision equipment, night vision scope, Night Vision Scopes