Photons and human distance perception

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of photons and their role in our visual perception of distant objects. It is explained that the problem lies not in the photons themselves, but in the resolution capacity of the retina. The size of an object is determined by the angle it subtends, rather than its actual size. This is why objects that are actually different sizes can appear the same size to us, like the sun and moon. The conversation also delves into the idea of entangled photons and how they may contribute to our perception of the "bigger picture".
  • #1
VBakija
1
0
Hello,
I don't even know if this two are related in the way I think, but this is what i would like to know.

for example
If we traveled far away from the planet Earth and looked back at it (no telescopes), we would see a blue marble but would not be able to see for example our familly eatingin in the kitchen.
If what we see are photons reflected from the surface of Earth what happens with them in the vacuum traveling to us in the distance? why can't we zoom ?
if we look with the telescope from the distance we've traveled we could see in the kitchen that means that the photons carrying visual information are acctually reaching us but we don't register them the same way.
do we make room for all other photons coming in our visual area from other planets and stars in the panorama and discard details od Earth ?
do photons over distances entangle in some way to form "the bigger picture" ?
do they spread like a wave so we have to have 20mx20m size eye to apture all the details ?


Im sorry for the confusing question but me & physics = pigs & flying


Thanks to anyone having patience to explain it to me.
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
The problem you are asking about is not in the photons in space, but in the resolution capacity of the retina.
 
  • #3
In other words, it's a geometry question. What makes an object look large or small to us is the angle subtended by the object. Despite their actual size, the sun and moon, for example, look the same size because they subtend the same angle.

Draw triangles and solve for the angle for both the moon and sun and you'll see why they look the same size.
 

Related to Photons and human distance perception

1. What are photons and how do they relate to human distance perception?

Photons are tiny packets of energy that make up electromagnetic radiation, including visible light. Our eyes are able to detect these photons and send signals to our brain, which then processes the information to help us perceive distance and depth.

2. How do photons interact with objects to create the perception of distance?

When photons from a light source come into contact with an object, some of them are absorbed while others are reflected. The reflected photons then enter our eyes and are processed by our brain, allowing us to see the object and judge its distance based on the angle and intensity of the reflected light.

3. Can photons affect our perception of distance in different lighting conditions?

Yes, the amount and quality of light can impact our perception of distance. In bright lighting, objects tend to appear closer, while in low lighting, objects may appear farther away. This is because the amount of photons reaching our eyes can vary, altering the signals sent to our brain.

4. How does the human brain process information from photons to create a sense of depth?

The brain uses visual cues, such as the differences in the angles of light hitting each eye and the relative size of objects, to interpret the information from photons and create a sense of depth. It also uses past experiences and knowledge to make assumptions about distance based on the visual information received.

5. Can our perception of distance be altered by manipulating the amount of photons reaching our eyes?

Yes, our perception of distance can be altered by manipulating the amount of photons reaching our eyes. For example, wearing tinted glasses can change the color and intensity of light, which can affect our perception of distance. Similarly, using a camera with different aperture settings can also alter the amount of light and therefore change our perception of distance in a photograph.

Similar threads

Replies
16
Views
1K
  • Special and General Relativity
3
Replies
98
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
1K
Replies
32
Views
949
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
22
Views
2K
Replies
63
Views
5K
Back
Top