Stars under water. (1 Viewer)

[Binastro]

Can stars be seen when sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool?

Yes.

Pure water is very transparent, there have been lenses made using water.

If one is sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool and if the water doesn't have many impurities then stars are apparently seen well if the water surface is still.

Furthermore if M31, The Andromeda galaxy, is correctly positioned with the long side compressed and at a good angle, it actually appears brighter than outside the water.

Of course one has to either take a deep breath or have a snorkel tube.

Regards,
B.

 

[kimmik]

The diver must wear an optical adapter - a goggle, as the eye is designed to focus with an air gap. Eyes directly underwater will be extremely hyperopic.

Water based animals on the other hand have the opposite problem - myopic when out of water.