Abstract

The daylight visibility of stars has been investigated for an observer altitude of 100 000 ft, using published visual threshold data and calculated sky luminance. Venus, Jupiter, and Sirius, plus Mars at its brighter phases, can be detected with the naked eye if the observer knows where to look for them in the sky. Saturn and Canopus may be seen only under rare circumstances. A random search of the sky will reveal neither planets nor stars except possibly Venus. If a 10-power telescope of large exit pupil is used, there is a possibility of detecting an occasional star by careful search of the sky. The daytime sky will not exhibit nighttime luminance until an altitude of roughly 100 km has been reached, assuming no contribution from airglow.

© 1959 Optical Society of America

The Visibility of Stars in the Daylight Sky

R. Tousey and E. O. Hulburt
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 38(10) 886-896 (1948)

Star Visibility in Daylight at High Altitudes

A. H. Mikesell
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 50(1) 85-85 (1960)

The Visibility of Stars and Planets During Twilight

R. Tousey and M. J. Koomen
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 43(3) 177-183 (1953)

Daylight Visibility of Stars from a Long Shaft

Alex G. Smith
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 45(6) 482-483 (1955)

The Brightness and Polarization of the Daylight Sky at Altitudes of 18,000 to 38,000 Feet above Sea Level

D. M. Packer and C. Lock
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 41(7) 473-478 (1951)