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From: rja@Eng.Sun.COM (Robert Allen)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: night-vision glasses
Message-ID: <1991Feb4.055418.17336@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 4 Feb 91 05:54:18 GMT
References: <1991Jan27.110402.28050@cbnews.att.com>
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From: rja@Eng.Sun.COM (Robert Allen)

In article <1991Jan27.110402.28050@cbnews.att.com> tracton@godot.RadOnc.UNC.EDU writes:
+
+  On CNN a few nights ago, there were video images taken through
+what they called a infrared "night vision" camera. Can anyone
+tell me the specifications (or provide references) for such a
+device? In particular, I am looking for the ambient lighting
+conditions, the distance range (which is probably a factor of the
+size of the aperture), the sensitivity, the physical size, and
+the cost.  

    I do not such detailed technical info.
+
+  Also, are hand-held units ever used? I've seen TV shows
+(possibly fictional) in which these were worn by a person, and
+looked like a large pair of binoculars. Also, are monocular
+versions around?

    There are indeed monocular and binocular Starlite (using ambient
    visible light and infrared), and infrared (using true infrared light
    only)devices.  I've used the binocular versions, and they work.  They
    even have a diopter adj. for eyesight correction.  Using them you
    get a green tinted image, and the image is good enough that you can
    recognise individuals at range, in seeming "total darkness".
+
+  Do these devices combine different electronmagnetic spectra to
+produce the final image? That is, do they see heat and light, or
+just heat? Why is it that we can't see through clouds of petro
+products with these?

    They see light, not heat.  The starlite models gather ambient
    light, and they can also detect infrared (invisible to the naked
    eye) light as well.  The infrared models do not use ambient light,
    so you need an infrared light source, which is usually obtained
    by putting a dark lens over a flashlight or searchlight.  Some starlight
    devices have infrared projectors built in for close range use.

    A nifty thing to do with these is to use starlight or infrared goggles,
    with an infrared laser.  Mounted on a weapon, you can zero your target
    when they can't even see you.
+
+
+--gregg (tracton@godot.radonc.unc.edu)


--
    Robert Allen, rja@sun.com		DISCLAIMER: I disclaim everything.

    "The intelligent man is one who has successfully fulfilled many
     accomplishments, and is yet willing to learn more." - Ed Parker