The red-light projection makes it possible to check the time without squinting. If the clock is in battery mode (two AA batteries required but not included), pressing the clock's snooze bar will beam the time onto the ceiling for five seconds--and also backlight the LCD screen. If the clock is plugged into a wall socket with an AC adapter (included), the projection and backlighting will be available either for five seconds with the snooze bar or continuously if a continuous-beam control is set. As a backup, you can set the time, day, and date manually as well as automatically. --Fred Brack