Night vision and the fovea. Because rods rather than cones are active in dim light, it is easier to see objects that fall in areas rich with rods (i.e., outside the fovea) than in areas packed with cones (i.e., the fovea). To experience this, you should choose a relatively clear night (with few surrounding bright lights) to observe stars. Specifically, you should locate a relatively dim star so that it is slightly to the right or left of the focal point of your gaze. What are you experiencing? Why is this happening