What should you avoid doing to prevent autokinesis during night missions?

To prevent autokinesis during night missions, it's crucial to avoid staring at a fixed point of light. Autokinesis is a visual phenomenon where a stationary light appears to move when viewed in low light conditions for extended periods. This effect is particularly problematic for pilots and personnel during night operations, as it can create disorientation and misjudgment of distance and direction.

When you maintain a fixed gaze on a single light source, the visual system can misinterpret the information, resulting in the perception that the light is oscillating or moving. This can lead to confusion and potentially dangerous decisions during critical situations.

Instead, successful strategies involve using peripheral vision and frequently shifting your gaze to other fixed references in the environment, which helps to mitigate the autokinetic effect.