Nightscope

[Nic Name]

Marines take up defensive positions
at the Kandahar airport as shots were
fired at a C-17 transport plane containing
20 Al Qaeda and Taliban detainees.

Nightscope imagery is the photographic
vernacular of the new war.

[elSicomoro]

Wow! I thought the nightvision cameras (is that what they were called?) that were used during the initial attack on Baghdad in 1991 were fascinating as well. Although, the pic that Nic posted looks much more detailed.

[Nic Name]

A U.S. Marine with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable),
Batallion Landing Team 3/6, hunkers down as Marines prepare to conduct a Cordon
and Search Raid at a suspected al Quaeda hideout in the Helmand Province of
Afghanistan on Jan. 01, 2002. U.S. Marines are in Afghanistan operating in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera)

[verbatim]

QUESTION!!!!





If its a nightscope, (emphasis on "night"), then why do they have shadows? Like on the second picture, the guy has a shadow underneath his helmet, like in daytime hours.

Either that, or it's a black lining or something.

Besides - not even <b>night vision</b> can work in <b>absolute dark</b>. Remember - what you're seeing, and what anything is seeing, is light reflecting off a surface. If there is no light, then there can be no vision, period. Night vision works by magnifying what light is available (I'm not an expert on night vision, so if this isn't exactly correct, don't bother flaming). So there's got to be <b>some</b> light for that to even work. So it could be a shadow, and that would be why.

[Nic Name]

Night vision can work in two very different ways, depending on the technology used.

Image enhancement - This works by collecting the tiny amounts of light, including the lower portion of the infrared light spectrum, that are present but may be imperceptible to our eyes, and amplifying it to the point that we can easily observe the image.

Thermal imaging - This technology operates by capturing the upper portion of the infrared light spectrum, which is emitted as heat by objects instead of simply reflected as light. Hotter objects, such as warm bodies, emit more of this light than cooler objects like trees or buildings.

The shadows in this image indicate the image enhancement, rather than thermal imaging, technology.

It is amazing How Stuff Works.

[hertz]

Originally posted by Nic Name
Image enhancement - This works by collecting the tiny amounts of light, including the lower portion of the infrared light spectrum, that are present but may be imperceptible to our eyes, and amplifying it to the point that we can easily observe the image.

Hence, the best form of defense while being stalked around your house by a group of Irish militants wearing night vision goggles is to wait until they get real close and then flip the lights on.

Works every time. Just ask Harrison Ford.

[CharlieG]

Originally posted by verbatim
QUESTION!!!!

If its a nightscope, (emphasis on "night"), then why do they have shadows? Like on the second picture, the guy has a shadow underneath his helmet, like in daytime hours.

Let me guess - you live in/near a city?

Try going out somewhere DARK one day - the moon is bright enough to cast shadows even without NVG

We, as a society, have become so used to over lit, badly lit nights that most people have no idea what can be seen at night

When your standing under a streetlight, with other streetlights shining in your eyes, you never get your night vision, and the shadows actually appear DARKER - the contrast level is too high

You can read a newspaper under the full moon when its clear and DARK - 1/2 moon or more makes it fairly easy to move around, and yes, you get shadows

[jaguar]

I've seen improvised NVG (adn i think you can get pro gear) that workds by having an IR 'torch', usually masses of IR LEDS, then a camera that pics up IR, then shows you, so while you re invisible to the naked eye, you actually have a powerful toch in front out you, which can work in absolutle darkness.