LAB REPORT

Calculating the Angular Resolution of the Human Eye

Roselin Reynosa

PHY 1001

Online

11/ 12 /22

Felix Ramos
 Abstract

In this experiment, we will be determining the angular resolution of the human

eye and investigating what factors it depends on. When calculating the angular

resolution of the human eye we must factor in the age, health, and state of a person's

eyesight as this will affect the results of the experiment. As well it will affect the setting

in the environment if it's light or dark. The observer in this experiment will be using

lenses due to being nearsighted. As well as answering the discussion questions

following the results of the experiment.

 Introduction

Angular resolution is a fundamental determinant of image resolution since it

represents the capacity of any image-forming instrument, such as a microscope, a

camera, an optical or radio telescope or an eye, to differentiate microscopic details of

an object. Angular resolution is the ability of an optical instrument to separate two

objects located at a small angular distance. With this physical quantity, we can

differentiate two points that are close to each other or distinguish two objects very

distant. The lower the angular resolution is, the more different details can see.

General principle

Resolution describes the ability of any image forming device such as a

microscope camera optical or radio telescope or the eye itself, to distinguish the

intricate details of an object. Resolution in an optical system set to have a high

resolution or high angular resolution means that the distance perceived, or actual

angular distance of the object nearby is small. The value of quantified by this property

is given by the Rayleigh criterion that demonstrate that the minimum angular spread

that can be resolved by an image forming system is limited by the ratio of the

wavelength choose the aperture width. The eye which is an organ acts as an

instrument in the human optical system. it is superior even to the most sophisticated

optical systems; it could focus and adapt to various amounts of light. The eye people

that I matter changes during the day and night whereas in the day the pupil size is
between 3 millimeters and 4 millimeters and at night it is from 5 millimeters to 9

millimeters.

All optical devices including the human eye have a maximum revolution and

resolving power. resolution is the ability to distinguish closely spaced objects although

some may be linear or angular. Linear resolution is the smallest linear separation that

can be discerned end measured in linear units for example meters, centimeters, and

millimeters. Angular resolution is the smallest Angel separation that can be designed

and measured in units such as, radians and milliradians. Studying the physical

properties of the eye’s optical function will help understand further their importance.

Method

To begin the experiment, with the assistance of another person they will

stand on a “zero position” of 7.3 meters and then decrease the distance by 0.61 meters

for each test subject that was able to read correctly between them. There will be a total

of five test in which we will calculate the radians, milliradians, and degrees to get the

angular resolution. While fully light adapted, the human eye features a wavelength

response from 400 to 700 nanometers with a peak sensitivity at 555 nm.

Resolution formula:

θ=1.22 λ ∕ d
 1. θ=1.22 ( 5.55∗10−7 ) /7.31

−8
¿ 9.262654∗10 radian

2. θ=1.22 ( 5.55∗10−7 ) /6.70

−7
1.010597∗10 radian

3. θ=1.22 ( 5.55∗10−7 ) /6.09

−7
1.111823∗10 radian

4. θ=1.22 ( 5.55∗10−7 ) /5.48

−7
1.235584∗10 radian

5. θ=1.22 ( 5.55∗10−7 ) /4.87

−7
1.390349∗10 radian

Then we will follow to convert the angular resolution of the eye from

radiance to milliradians. after that we font convert the angular resolution of

the eye from radians to degrees. While calculating the radians to degrees we

keep in mind that Angle in Radians × 180°/π = Angle in Degrees, whereas 2π

radians = 360° and π radians = 180°. Therefore, 1 radian = 180/π degrees =

57.296 degrees.

Distance from Angular resolution

Test subject
chart radians milliradians degrees

#1 7.31 m 9.26 r 9432.16 530.56°

#2 6.70 m 1.01 r 1028.78 57.87°
 #3 6.09 m 1.11 r 1130.64 63.6°
#4 5.48 m 1.23 r 1252.87 70.47°
#5 4.87 m 1.39 r 1415.84 79.64°

To while calculating the small angle formula it will help determine how long it

takes for the angular resolution of the eye and the distance to differentiate the object.

a=2.06 ×10 5 ( ds )
Sample calculations:

α =2.06 × 10
5
( 0.000001
0.731 )

5
α =2.06 × 10 ( 0.00000137 )

α =0.282 arcseconds

Results

After analyzing the data of the experiment, it takes the eye a shorter time for the

eye to perceive the difference the closer the object is. At the beginning of the
experiment, we began with 7.31 meter or 24 feet. While the object moves closer the

less time it takes to distinguish in between.

To continue, we will follow to answer the questions for the lab in order, we have

searched up the units of angular resolution commonly used in astronomy. According to

Internet search from Britannica, the angular resolving power or resolution of a

telescope is the smallest angle between close objects that can be seen clearly to be

separate. Resolution is limited by the wave nature of light.

Next, as most people cannot focus their eyes on objects closer than 10

centimeters or for inches from their eyes using the results from the investigation, we

will tell what is the smallest objects that it could be seen. what can be depicted from

the experiment is that the visualization of the object from a large distance cancel be

differentiated but, if we were to use the same test chart and put it 4 inches away from

the eyes. We can notice that the perception of the object is hard to differentiate since

the distance in between is not far enough to depict which is which.

Following, the factors that affect the resolution power of the human eye are

Aging can be a cause of visual deterioration and blurred vision. Use of lenses due to

vison loss by heredity or age. It can also be affected by environmental factors such as,

light and darkness. Visual range by Fixating or limiting the visual range for extended

periods causes stress to build up in the Ciliary Body Muscles that focus the Ciliary Body

and Lens of the eye.

 Finally, the conversion factor between the angular resolution most commonly

used in astronomy and degrees. In astrology degree is too large unit for angular

resolution, so it is used, arcminute and arcsecond. the conversion factors in angular

resolutions are:

1°= 60 arcminutes

1 Arcminute= 60 arcseconds

1°= 3600 arcseconds

1 arcsecond= 5 x 10^-6 rad

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results of the experiment will vary depending on the factors

that have affect it, in this case it would be that the observer uses lenses due to being

nearsighted. In the experiment it was noticed that the object could be seen from a far

distance maximum of 7.31 meters. Allowing to be able to differentiate in between the

two objects. As it can also understand is the amount of time it takes for the eye to be

able to focus. When analyzing the discussion questions the eye’s ability to focus while

an item being in a remarkably close range is affected to the lack of focal perception of

the eye. While the object is in close rang it is exceedingly difficult to depict what it is.
 Works cited

Astronomy - The techniques of astronomy. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved November

11, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/science/astronomy/The-techniques-of-

astronomy#ref910526

Radians to Degrees - Conversion, Formula, Solved Examples and FAQs. (2022, March 14).

GeeksforGeeks. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/radians-to-degrees/

Resolution of human eye - WikiLectures. (n.d.). Www.wikilectures.eu. Retrieved November 12,

2022, from https://www.wikilectures.eu/w/Resolution_of_human_eye

Three Factors That Affect Your Visual Acuity and How You Can Use Them to Naturally Improve

Your Vision - ImproveYourVision.org. (2013, September 28). ImproveYourVision.org.

http://improveyourvision.org/about-eyesight/three-factors-that-affect-your-visual-acuity/