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Is Orange Light a Better Colour than Red for Dark Adaptation?
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Is Orange Light a Better Colour than Red for Dark Adaptation?

Ken Wishaw
2018
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Abstract

Astronomical and Space Sciences
Maintenance of dark adaptation is critical for visual astronomers. Where artificial lighting has been necessary, astronomers have traditionally used red lighting. However there are sound reasons to suggest that this may not be the optimal colour. Previous research in night dark adaptation has all been laboratory based whereas this study tested astronomers using their own environment, via the use of computer images to imitate astronomers' normal sources of artificial light, and stars themselves as the criteria for assessing changes in dark adaptation. In their normal working environment the study revealed that orange is the most appropriate colour for lighting for most astronomers, but there was considerable variation. Variation may reflect the significant variation in the ratio of red and green cone receptors in the retina, in people with normal colour vision. Further the study did not reveal deterioration in dark adaptation as a function of age.

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