A method of improving visibility of distant objects

Abstract

The idea may have been suggested before, but I believe it is not generally known and appreciated how very much the power of distinguishing detail in a distant object, and especially of perceiving it in its natural colours, may be improved by the simple device of fitting a small Nicol's prism in the eye-piece end of the observing telescope. The Nicol serves to cut off a great deal of the blue atmospheric "haze" which usually envelops a distant view, and mostly consists of polarised light. Details which are usually lost in the haze, such as the colour of distant rocks or of the vegetation growing upon them, then stands out in a very striking way.