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What Is the Window of Visibility?

The range of spatial frequencies (detail size) and temporal frequencies (flicker rate) to which the human visual system is sensitive. Anything outside this range is not visible or detectable.

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What Is the Window of Visibility?

The range of spatial frequencies (detail size) and temporal frequencies (flicker rate) to which the human visual system is sensitive. Anything outside this range is not visible or detectable.

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Spatial Frequencies

The window is limited by low spatial frequencies (large, blurry objects) and high spatial frequencies (fine, tiny details that the optics cannot resolve).

Temporal Frequencies

The window is limited by low temporal frequencies (very slow changes) and high temporal frequencies (flicker rates above the Critical Flicker Fusion frequency).

Application

The window helps explain why very fine textures disappear from a distance and why rapidly flickering lights appear steady.

How does age affect the window?

The window shrinks with age; specifically, the high spatial frequency limit decreases (less fine detail visible), and the high temporal frequency limit decreases (more likely to see flicker).

What is a 'contrast sensitivity function'?

The curve that maps the contrast required to detect objects across the range of spatial frequencies, defining the spatial boundaries of the window.

What happens outside the window?

Outside the window, stimuli are either too slow, too fast, too big, or too small/fine to be perceived.