How to View a Solar Eclipse Without Hurting Your Eyes
A solar eclipse in August 1 is to be seen in Greenland, Siberia, Mongolia and China. However, many people do not know that viewing a solar eclipse poses health risks, especially to the eyes. Yup folks, your eyes can sustain damage if you look at the sun without the proper gears or tools like a pair of sunglasses (dark glasses will do just great). Others, however, say that doing so won’t harm you eyes and it’s just a myth.
According to experts, despite myths and rumors, a total solar eclipse is safe to watch during the darkness of totality, when no rays of the sun are passing to your eyes. The corona, or atmosphere of the sun, is often partly visible when the moon blocks out the main disk of the sun. Viewing the corona during totality also is safe.
A photo of a solar eclipse
However, looking directly at the sun, even during a partial eclipse, will damage your eyes unless you wear proper eye protection. It is extremely dangerous to eyesight to look directly at an eclipse at any stage expect during totality.
Glasses designed specifically for eclipse viewing are recommended, or a handful of indirect viewing methods can be used:
With masking tape, cover all but a 1/2-inch square of a small mirror. Project the sun onto a shaded wall. Or with a pencil, poke a small hole in a piece of paper. Let sunlight fall trough the hole onto a second sheet of white paper about a foot below.
In addition, I have personally tried using plastic wrappers of Chippy, Taquitos and Nova (popular snacks in the Philippines) to watch 2 or 3 solar eclipses in the past. I was in high school when we first tried it with Chippy. Dark candy wrappers made of plastic were also effective. The view of the sun during a solar eclipse was really great. We were able to see clearly how the moon covered the sun the during this phenomenon without hurting our eyes. During the day, watching a solar eclipse can still hurt your eyes especially if you have sensitive ones so as a word of caution, wear something or use something to protect your eyes before viewing this natural event.
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Tags: Eye protection, health, health tips, Nursing, Nursing Research
THE TOTAL ECLIPSE WAS GREAT LIKE YOU SAID. WE HAVE SEEN IT ALREADY.
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jessie reply on August 2nd, 2008:
zing,
well that’s good for you and your friends. the total eclipse was truly amazing, right?
jessie’s last blog post..If You Love Your Bathroom That Much
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aww.. i think it cannot be seen here in our place.. and the sky was cloudy the entire day
Bryan Inno’s last blog post..Breathing in for Luck..
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jessie reply on August 2nd, 2008:
Inno,
Sa ibang bansa yung solar eclipse, not here in the Philippines.
jessie’s last blog post..Audio Consoles Produce Great Sound
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I’ve waited for this, may oras pang nakalagay, pero walang epek dito. Sikat na sikat ang araw.
Marlene’s last blog post..When August Comes
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jessie reply on August 2nd, 2008:
Mhy,
I really doubt if the solar eclipse can bee seen in your place. If not, then wait for another solar eclipse to happen. lol!
jessie’s last blog post..Various Quotes #3
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uu nga…wala rin here…ang init p…
alala ko nung bata p ko…film ng photo ang ginamit ko…
ahahaha..tinatakot p ko ng mga matanda kong pinsan na d na aswang daw ang may kagagawan….ahahahha
billyboxergirl’s last blog post..My Heart Aches
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jessie reply on August 2nd, 2008:
Billy,
yup, the solar eclipse cannot be seen in the US. pwede rin yung film fren. basta dark na plastic ok ang view.
jessie’s last blog post..If You Love Your Bathroom That Much
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Film din ng photo gamit ko dati fren, kakatawa pa kasi sinubukan ko magshades..tapos takot pa ako tumingin baka mabulag ako toinks!
Ang saya din manood nyan pag marami tao nakatingala.
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Joy,
The view of a total eclipse is a reminder that God is watching us, that there is a higher power above all of us and we’re just a tiny speck of dust compared to His greatness.
jessie’s last blog post..Los Angeles Earthquake Caught on Video
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Ay i love watching total eclipse kuya..as in its awesome..God’s creation talaga. I remember nung kids pa kami yong photo film gamit namin.. excited na excited ako nun.. hmmm…i want to see one again…sana naman…
twinks’s last blog post..I’m spreading the link LOVE :]
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jessie reply on August 4th, 2008:
Twinks,
The total eclipse is one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. It’s truly amazing. Yeah, you will see a total eclipse again. It’s time will come.
jessie’s last blog post..I Need More Money to Buy a New Car
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I remember I commented on this entrty a few days ago, but di pumatak dito? hmmm ayaw ata sa akin lols!
ivy’s last blog post..A Blessed Sunday Everyone
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jessie reply on August 7th, 2008:
Fren,
Wala naman sa akismet bin ko. Baka hindi lang pumasok.
jessie’s last blog post..Philippine Politics Goes Online: Politicians Join Social Networks
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