2007-05-26 19:47:38 · 7 answers · asked by armyoflight45 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The answer to this question for a solar eclipse is: it depends.
If the sun is in a TOTAL eclipse, you will not go blind. The sky will be dark and the disk of the sun will be covered. BUT, if any part of the sun is showing, you can damage your eyesight.
Galileo was blind in the last 10 years of his life because he studied sunspots....without eye protection!
2007-05-26 21:41:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all, we're talking about solar eclipses here, not lunar eclipses, which are perfectly safe.
Looking at the total eclipse itself won't make you blind, but looking at any part of the Sun that isn't eclipsed can cause blindness. I've observed two total eclipses and many partial ones, and my vision is fine. The rule is that you must use a special solar filter for all the partial phases, but once the eclipse is total, you can safely remove the filter and look directly at the eclipsed Sun. As soon as the Sun begins to emerge from eclipse, the filter must go back on.
The tragedy is that so much fear has been generated about the dangers of the partial phases, that many people never see the glory of a totally eclipsed Sun, truly one of the greatest sights in nature. By overprotecting people, we rob them of an exquisite experience.
2007-05-27 02:11:52 · answer #2 · answered by GeoffG 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, not permanently. Staring at the sun can damage your eyes, maybe even make you temporarily blind. It's not perfectly safe to look during an eclipse, but people think it is because most of the light is blocked, and they can still damage their eyes. But because we've warned people about this so often, now people think there's something special about an eclipse that will make you blind. There isn't. Just don't stare at the sun, no matter when. A quick glance is fine.
2007-05-26 19:52:42 · answer #3 · answered by eri 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If it is a solar eclipse and if you look at the sun without proper protection (weding goggles for example) - yes, you may get your eyes damaged. Luncar eclipse is safe to look at with unaided eyes.
2007-05-26 20:53:13 · answer #4 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, don't do it (unless it's absolutely, positively 100.000% covered). Looking into the regular sun also can damage your eyes. Looking at the sun through bare telescopes or binoculars causes instant, painless, permanent blindness.
An eclipse of the Moon is perfectly safe though.
2007-05-26 19:53:24 · answer #5 · answered by anonymous 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A solar eclipse can cause serious damage to your eyes. Lunar eclipse is fine to watch.
2007-05-26 19:53:08 · answer #6 · answered by old man 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No
2007-05-26 19:54:52 · answer #7 · answered by smerten 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋