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- Millions of Americans are expected to observe Monday’s total solar eclipse.
- Staring at or photographing a solar eclipse without proper protection can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
- NASA recommends using solar viewing glasses or a safe hand-held solar viewing device to protect your eyes.
Millions of Americans will turn their attention to the heavens during Monday’s total solar eclipse as the moon darkens the sky and blocks the sun’s light.
However, don’t be seduced by the perception that the moon is protecting you and risk causing solar retinopathy or serious damage that can lead to blindness. In your eyes. It can be a permanent reminder of your stupid decisions and you can never look away.
Space.com reports that during a solar eclipse, the brightness of the sky decreases, making it more comfortable to stare at the sun, which increases the risk of solar retinopathy. This means people may miss warning signs such as rapid blinking or eye discomfort that typically occur when staring into a ball of gas burning at 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
You may be thinking, “Former President Donald Trump observed a solar eclipse in 2017, and he seemed fine, so I’ll probably be fine too.”
That won’t happen.
You might also think that the New Jersey earthquake is somehow related to the solar eclipse, or that normal natural phenomena are somehow unpredictable and unusual.
isn’t it.
According to NASA, while the brief total phase of the eclipse (when the moon completely blocks the sun) is safe to observe, the sun’s light shines through most of the eclipse’s duration as the moon passes in front of the eclipse. Masu.
However, this directive applies specifically to those on the path of totality. In the case of this solar eclipse, It runs diagonally across the country from Texas to Maine.
Like President Trump in 2017, most Americans will be out of the path of the solar eclipse when it occurs. Outside of that path, the sun cannot be safely seen with the naked eye.
Coastal Elites: You have been warned.
And don’t even think about looking at the Sun with a glass viewing lens without a “special purpose solar filter,” says NASA. May cause “severe eye damage”.
This means you shouldn’t look at the eclipse through your camera’s viewfinder or lens, or look at the Sun through binoculars or a telescope, unless you purchase and install a special solar filter. Without that filter, the lens could focus the sun’s radiation directly onto your eyeball.
It’s like a bored but villainous child lighting an ant on fire with a magnifying glass. Except in this scenario, the ants are your eyes.
You don’t want your eyeballs to become ants.
Use your camera’s digital preview feature instead.
NASA says the best way to view the eclipse directly is with eclipse glasses or safe hand-held solar glasses. And NASA doesn’t care how cool your shades look. Sunglasses are far from enough protection.
The American Astronomical Society has compiled a list of approved eye protection for solar eclipses and warns consumers to avoid any that may be counterfeit. If Tem’s mom shows up with a package of eclipse glasses, she might want to take it away from her.
“We do not recommend searching for solar eclipse glasses on Amazon, eBay, Temu, or other online marketplaces and purchasing from the vendor offering the lowest price,” AAS wrote. “Before purchasing a solar viewer or filter online, we recommend that you (1) ensure that the seller is identified on the site and (2) that the seller is listed on this page. To do.”
Of course, there is always the risk of skin cancer. Even though the moon is creeping in front of it, the sun is still exposing you to UV rays that can increase your risk of melanoma and (gasp!) skin aging.
So, as always, don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
Don’t count on clouds to protect your skin. They reduce visible light but cannot block damaging invisible UV rays.
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