What is the scientific reason why we can't look at Total Eclipses?
2007-03-04 12:18:08 · 4 answers · asked by Mrs. Heath Ledger 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The light from the sun is still shining on the Earth, and it has the same effect as starring straight at the sun, which will literally BURN your retina. It blocks some of the light though, so you don't have the squinting reflex when you look at it, but the same harmful radiation from the Photosphere is focused upon your retina if you looked straight at the sun on a normal day.
2007-03-04 12:23:39 · answer #1 · answered by Science Guy41 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK - you can look at a total eclipse. you can look at a total eclipse longer than looking at the sun without an eclipse. HOWEVER it is more dangerous during an eclipse because it is not bright and therefore you do not feel the burn, so you have a tendency to look LONGER ! And your eyes will burn as even though the bright part of the sun is blocked, the UV rays are not. So your retina gets a permanent sunburn
2007-03-04 20:49:53 · answer #2 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The scientific reason you can't look at a total eclipse is that the light is still so strong it will burn the f*ck out of your eyeballs.
2007-03-04 20:25:28 · answer #3 · answered by Edward 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi The blink reflex. Looking at the full Sun makes you blink, preventing damage. When the Sun is mostly eclipsed, but not fully, the blink reflex does not kick in. The remaining sunlight will damage your retina if stared at.
2007-03-04 20:43:49 · answer #4 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋