The German physiologist Hermann Rudolph Aubert conducted rigorous examinations of visual perception during the nineteenth century, contributing foundational studies to the field of psychophysics. His work shifted the focus of ophthalmological research toward quantifiable laws governing dark adaptation and peripheral sight, providing a scientific basis for understanding how the human eye processes light and spatial orientation.
Academic Career and Appointments
Born in Frankfurt (Oder) in 1826, Aubert pursued a career in medicine and physiology. He earned his medical doctorate in 1850 and subsequently began his academic career at the University of Wrocław, then known as Breslau, serving as a privat-docent of physiology in 1854. By 1862, he had advanced to the position of associate professor. His professional trajectory ultimately led him to the University of Rostock, where he accepted an appointment as professor of physiology in 1865. He remained associated with the institution until his death in 1892.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Contributions to Visual Science
Aubert investigated the mechanics of human vision, specifically focusing on dark adaptation—the process by which the eye recovers sensitivity after exposure to bright illumination. He collaborated with the ophthalmologist Richard Förster to analyze indirect vision, which refers to sight occurring outside the point of central fixation. Their 1857 treatise, Beiträge zur Kenntniss des indirecten Sehens, documented findings that established the Aubert-Förster law. This principle maps the linear relationship between visual acuity and the angle of eccentricity from the central point of vision.
Eponyms and Optical Research
Beyond his collaborative research, Aubert is noted for identifying the phenomenon now known as Aubert's phenomenon. This optical illusion concerns the subjective perception of a vertical line when an observer tilts their head, an effect that becomes highly pronounced in low-light conditions. These studies into pattern, movement, and orientation were critical to developing a clearer understanding of how the brain interprets physical cues from the environment.
Early Zoological Research
Before centering his work on human physiology, Aubert engaged in various zoological studies. His early research included observations on the thorax muscles of insects and investigations into Aspidogaster conchicola. He also collaborated with the botanist Friedrich Wimmer to publish a German translation of Aristotle's Historia Animalium, illustrating his broad engagement with biological sciences during the mid-nineteenth century.
Fast facts
- Born: 1826, Frankfurt (Oder)
- Died: 1892, Rostock
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Prussia, German Reich
- Medical doctorate obtained: 1850
- Professor of Physiology at University of Rostock: 1865
- Notable collaboration: Richard Förster
Questions readers ask
What is the Aubert-Förster law?
It is a principle derived from Aubert and Förster's 1857 study showing that visual acuity decreases in a roughly linear manner as the angle of eccentricity from the point of central fixation increases.
What does Aubert's phenomenon describe?
It is an optical illusion where an observer incorrectly perceives the vertical orientation of a line when their head is tilted, especially in dark environments.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Rostock and University of Wrocław