Visual Problems of Space Travel (1962) / Chapter Skim
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The Visual Environment of Space
The Visual Environment of Space
Pages 3-10
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From page 3... ...
Rather, the situation becomes space-equivalent in more ways as one goes higher and higher until there is no difference." This gradual change is true visually as well as physically. As one ascends from the surface of the earth, the overhead sky takes on a deeper and deeper blue as a result of less optical scattering in the thinner atmosphere.
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From page 4... ...
The altitude at which it first becomes possible has not as yet been determined. It is expected that at about 100,000 feet an individual who is dark-adapted will aee flashes of light caused by direct stimulation of the retinal elements by heavy cosmic particles.
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From page 5... ...
"CLOUD COVER - The most conspicuous visual effect at orbital altitude, other than day-night cycle, is the wide variation in cloud cover. Clouds have two significant visual effects: they block the view of the earth and create shadows, and they reflect sunlight to increase illuminance.
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From page 6... ...
The moon, airglow, starlight, galactic light, and zodiacal light in decreasing order of intensity, will furnish a very faint light when the vehicle is on the dark side of the earth. Air glow will be below the vehicle." As would be expected, the visual field "will change from dark to light and back to dark every 90 minutes during each orbit." "If for any reason the vehicle should go into a tumbling mode, external cues may afford a reference for regaining stability.
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From page 7... ...
Due to the fact that the sun is surrounded by relative blackness, the problem of glare may be much more serious in space than during flight within the earth's atmosphere, primarily because the pupils often will be dilated during brief exposures. If proper precautions are not taken, the eye may suffer structural damage in the form of retinal burns caused by infrared and near-infrared rays focused on the retina.
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From page 8... ...
showed that abiotic effects could be obtained when the eyes were exposed to wave lengths shorter than 3050A. Inasmuch as the cornea and lens absorb these wave lengths very strongly, 19 times the minimal exposure needed for corneal damage was required to produce an effect on the lens.
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From page 9... ...
Data obtained from earth satellites and deep space probes indicate that these radiations exist at extremely high energy levels. The source of these radiations is the Van Allen Belt, aural displays, coamic rays, and in special cases the intensity is markedly increased by solar flares (Winkler, 1960)
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From page 10... ...
, utilizing the synchrocyclotron at the University of California at Berkeley, with rhesus monkeys as subjects, has revealed that both immediate and long-term ocular damage may result from irradiation. In order to protect future astronauts from the damaging effects of radiation, extreme care will have to be taken to minimize the time spent in the primary radiation belts and to cease flights during periods of unusual solar activity.
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