General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI just learned that an otherwise smart, informed college graduate didn't know
that you can't directly watch a solar eclipse (partial or total) without special glasses. (You wouldn't need them for the exact moment of a total eclipse, but you'd need them before and after.)
YIKES! Make sure all your loved ones know!
oasis
(49,434 posts)radio and tv shows and social media.
angstlessk
(11,862 posts)For a length of time? Not sure when I learned it, but it was BEFORE college!
pnwmom
(109,020 posts)However, during an eclipse you could look without that pain -- but permanent vision damage could still be occurring.
angstlessk
(11,862 posts)You are correct the urge to look before the total eclipse is very compelling...we had visors.
struggle4progress
(118,379 posts)LeftInTX
(25,675 posts)The sun is so bright and blinding, even a few seconds from totality
You can see at the 1:28 mark. Within 6 seconds they have to put the filters back on their lenses.
misanthrope
(7,433 posts)considering trends in American education and the position science holds in American culture.
IthinkThereforeIAM
(3,078 posts)... yep.
susanna
(5,231 posts)wishstar
(5,272 posts)She thought there was something inherently more dangerous on eclipse day. I had to explain to her that directly staring at sun is dangerous any day and her dog was not in any more danger than on any other day. But better to err on side of caution I guess.
yardwork
(61,735 posts)While nobody would stare at the sun on a normal day - too painful - it's possible to stare at the partially obscured sun before and after the eclipse. And that's when the eye damage occurs.