Field of view
![A 360-degree panorama of the Milky Way at the Very Large Telescope. Such a panorama shows the entire field of view (FOV) in a single image. An observer would perceive the Milky Way like an arc of stars spanning horizon to horizon – with the entire FOV mapped on a single image this arc appears as two streams of stars seemingly cascading down like waterfalls.[1]](/uploads/202502/08/Cascading_Milky_Way1448.jpg)
The field of view (also field of vision, abbreviated FOV) is the extent of the observable world that is seen at any given moment. In case of optical instruments or sensors it is a solid angle through which a detector is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation.