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"Shimmer Vision" Scopes See Better Using Heat

Posted by kdawson on from the coco-bop dept.

holy_calamity writes "New Scientist reports on a neat DARPA idea that uses the shimmer of heat haze to allow binoculars to see further. It works by exploiting the fact that some distortions from heat haze actually magnify objects behind them. The binoculars collect a series of frames when that is occurring to boost magnification by 3 times. The design goal is to be able to present one image a second, and to enable facial recognition at 90% accuracy at a distance of 1 km. The scopes could be on the battlefield inside of 3 years."

11 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. That explains it... by pushing-robot · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...I could never figure out why every sci-fi show has super-advanced computerized binoculars, even when they can't seem to do anything but enlarge an image (and show numbers and blinking lights).

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  2. Freezer Burn! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I guess this rules out a sneak invasion of Antarctica!

    1. Re:Freezer Burn! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Y'know, I think you'll find that a basic cost/benefit analysis is what rules out a sneak invasion of Antarctica, not funky optics.

      Really? I thought it was the penguins. Those evil little bastards are planning to take over our desktops.

  3. How hot does it have to be.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Does it magnify by 10x if there's some hot grits ahead?

  4. Re:On the Battlefield by RuBLed · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well this could also be used to provide additional measures in ensuing the security of local hotsprings.

  5. If it depends on heat shimmer... by NoobixCube · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wouldn't that mean the binoculars are only useful in the desert? Nice to see the US is really working hard to get troops out of the middle-east.

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    1. Re:If it depends on heat shimmer... by nacturation · · Score: 2, Funny

      The Middle East isn't the only area that's hot. Soon the Mexicans will use it to keep Americans out. :)

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  6. Re:Signal Processing by oodaloop · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is the same principle used in noise cancellation filters. Except that they are extracting information from the distortion instead of dropping it.

    So, it's the same thing but completely different. Brilliant.

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  7. Re:On the Battlefield by philspear · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, one non-military use this will have is allowing people to use binoculars better. Uh, in very limited situations, like seeing down the road on a hot day. For millionaires, since this is probably going to be expensive for a while. So there's that... Also say you are a millionaire in the desert and want to see more sand. What are you going to use? This thing!

  8. CSI does better. by gsslay · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is nothing. CSI manage magnification way better than this every week. I think it is achieved through the combined technology of inadequately lit laboratories and music by The Who.

  9. Re:Facial recognition on the battlefield ? by Zwicky · · Score: 3, Funny

    Your tin foil hat won't help.

    But at least you could wear it at a rakish angle for your closeup.

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    "Three eyes are better than one" -- Lieutenant Columbo