The Purkinje Effect

The Purkinje Effect describes how our eyes perceive colors differently in low light conditions. At twilight or darkness, our vision shifts from detecting bright, saturated colors to identifying more muted, bluish tones. This happens because the eye's color-sensitive cells (cones) become less effective in dim light, while the light-sensitive cells (rods) take over, which are more sensitive to blue and green wavelengths. As a result, reds and oranges appear darker or less visible, making blue hues stand out more. This effect influences how we see colors at dusk or dawn, impacting navigation and night-time activities.