Optics of Searchlight Illumination

Abstract

Measurements and calculations for the Navy 36 inch and the Army 60 inch searchlights led to the following results: X is the maximum visual range of an object illuminated by a searchlight at night viewed by an observer alongside the searchlight and at a distance d from it. A homogeneous atmosphere and a small target are assumed. The general conclusion was reached that by means of the present detailed manner of calculation the effectiveness of a searchlight in revealing small objects can be calculated completely from the distribution curve of light in the search light beam.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 30, 1945
Accession Number
AD1193909

Entities

People

  • Edward O. Hulburt

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheres
  • Distribution Curves
  • Distribution Functions
  • Functions (Mathematics)
  • Graphs
  • Light Sources
  • Measurement
  • Observers
  • Searchlights

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Spectroscopy.
  • Systems Analysis and Design