Rods versus Cones
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Rods are strongly photosensitive photoreceptors at the retina's edges, specialized for dim, achromatic peripheral vision; cones are weakly photosensitive, concentrated at the fovea, specialized for color vision.
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Looking slightly away from a dim star lets rod-dense peripheral retina detect it better than looking straight at it.
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Cones, not rods, dominate the fovea — sharpest vision favors color and detail over sensitivity.