3 ms·
The theoretical upper limit of the resolving power of the human eye will be given by the Rayleigh criterion. For a pupil diameter of 5mm and a wavelength of 500
by sipos 10y ago
The theoretical upper limit of the resolving power of the human eye will be given by the Rayleigh criterion. For a pupil diameter of 5mm and a wavelength of 500nm (green light) we can theoretically resolve about 1.22e-4 radians. 1 arcsecond is about 5e-6 radians, i.e. 25 times smaller than we could theoretically resolve without a magic retina.
1 arcminute is a more realistic size for what people can reliably resolve I think. I guess we need significantly better than that to avoid a subjective feeling it is blurry but, that is about what we can actually reliably tell the difference between I think. We cannot tell the difference below 25 arcseconds or so though, it is not possible without larger pupils.
- TheSpiceIsLife 10y agoCan you tell us at what distance the theoretical 1.22e-4 radians would apply. I suppose you mean something like regular screen-viewing distance.
- e12e 10y agoThe angle in radians apply at any distance - if I understand correctly it is about when light from two adjacent points would have to "hit" the aperture so close as to interference with each other. Another random link from the Internet makes the connection between the definition of 20/20 vision and Rayleigh limit: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/Raylei.html http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/Raylei.htm...