SingAstro

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?

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.

However, if the lightning came through the binoculars while you were looking at it, then yes, it would injure your eyes

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

OK now I'm not so worried. Thanks guys