2007-01-11 12:57:45 · 10 answers · asked by veolapaul 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Depends on how far away you are and what kind of optical protection is used. And staring isn't necessary because the flash is picoseconds long.
2007-01-11 13:02:11 · answer #1 · answered by loon_mallet_wielder 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends how close you are, but yep. The lens in you eye is like any other lens in that it can focus very bright light sources such as a nuclear eplosion, the sun, or a high powered laser into a burning spot, this spot can burn your retinas, causing blindness. Not just theory. Many children, in Hiroshima, following their natural reaction to look at and identify a sudden noise were blinded by the nuclear explosion there.
2007-01-11 21:15:29 · answer #2 · answered by walter_b_marvin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the Sun is basically a ten billion long nuclear explosion, and staring at the Sun will definitely blind you. Similarly, if you are pretty close to a nuclear bomb going off, it briefly looks as bright as the Sun and can blind you.
2007-01-11 21:29:59 · answer #3 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any bright flash of light with enough intensity will cause blindness but there is an additional danger with a nuclear explosion in that it also releases an intense burst of gamma rays (you don't see them as light). Assuming you're not too close to the nuclear explosion to be vaporized, these gamma rays will "fry" your retina because the energy is too intense and they will also cause immediate cataracts (fogging of the lens in your eye). However, the radiation is also likely to cause acute radiation exposure, skin burns and death.
My advise is not to get near a nuclear explosion.
2007-01-11 21:24:36 · answer #4 · answered by Mark_the_science_guy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I nuclear explosion is bright enough to cause blindness if you stare at it; depending on the distance from which you view it, the blindness may be temporary or permanant.
2007-01-11 21:05:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People facing a 1-kiloton detonation could receive retinal burns from as far away as 6.7 kilometers. So, I would guess that a 1-megaton bomb would have the same effect out for 100's of miles! (But then, what are the chances that you would be looking at just wrong spot on the horizon, or in the sky, when a H-bomb went off 200 miles away?)
2007-01-11 21:10:01 · answer #6 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you look at the blast (for even a moment), soon enough after the start of the blast, and you are close enough to it, yes you will most likely be blinded. You will also have other problems.
2007-01-11 21:06:09 · answer #7 · answered by nectar_pepsi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, after Hiroshima the pilots were warned not to look back or there eyes would be damaged or go blind all together.
2007-01-11 21:06:16 · answer #8 · answered by bigmike2552 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would be the least of your problems.
2007-01-11 21:04:01 · answer #9 · answered by bubu 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
2007-01-11 21:01:40 · answer #10 · answered by flyingbirdyaws 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋