Hi all,
Beginner question here - I was looking at the moon just now with my binoculars. Away to the South, I saw lots of lightning. I was wondering if I accidentally saw the lightning through the binos, would it damage my eye?
Binoculars and lightning
Re: Binoculars and lightning
Found this wiki answer online. Not sure how true is that.
Q: Can watching lightning make you blind?
A: No. It's only the ultra-violet light that damages the retina, and while lightning does radiate some, it's duration is short, and (if you're still here) not too close. Arc welding is much more dangerous - because you're closer and it lasts a significant period of time.
Q: Can watching lightning make you blind?
A: No. It's only the ultra-violet light that damages the retina, and while lightning does radiate some, it's duration is short, and (if you're still here) not too close. Arc welding is much more dangerous - because you're closer and it lasts a significant period of time.
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email: gary[at]astro.sg
twitter: @astrosg
"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
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Re: Binoculars and lightning
However, if the lightning came through the binoculars while you were looking at it, then yes, it would injure your eyes 
DON'T PANIC
Re: Binoculars and lightning
No problem.
But I viewed RWS fireworks through my 7 x 50 (think that's about 7mm exit pupil, ie bright). Bright like s***, left some bright flash spots on the retina and spoilt my ob. But luckily quite late already and ending the obs.
Thinking of getting a 20 x 80. Barska cosmos 20 x 80.
Wanted to get a Bushnell Astralis 20 x 80 when i was shopping at Xiu Shui jie in BJ for cheap thrills. With tripod support. It was only 420 RMB (original price 2800 RMB). Told him 380 (S$76) but he did not want. Now a bit regret. LOL!
Now then i see that it's porro and BAK-4. !@#!@## I'd have gotten it but i didn't have my notebook so could not check the specs.
http://www.binocularscanada.com/eNet-ca ... pid=212080
But I viewed RWS fireworks through my 7 x 50 (think that's about 7mm exit pupil, ie bright). Bright like s***, left some bright flash spots on the retina and spoilt my ob. But luckily quite late already and ending the obs.
Thinking of getting a 20 x 80. Barska cosmos 20 x 80.
Wanted to get a Bushnell Astralis 20 x 80 when i was shopping at Xiu Shui jie in BJ for cheap thrills. With tripod support. It was only 420 RMB (original price 2800 RMB). Told him 380 (S$76) but he did not want. Now a bit regret. LOL!
Now then i see that it's porro and BAK-4. !@#!@## I'd have gotten it but i didn't have my notebook so could not check the specs.
http://www.binocularscanada.com/eNet-ca ... pid=212080
Re: Binoculars and lightning
OK now I'm not so worried. Thanks guys 