Solar eclipse eye warning

[starfinder]

I have posted the following warning on another thread, but feel compelled to start a new thread on this.


For those watching the solar eclipse at places where there is totality, you would of course remove the solar glasses (special filters) during the brief minutes of totality (i.e. when the Sun's disc is 100.00% blocked by the Moon) as it is perfectly safe to do so.

Outside of the period of totality, do use the solar glasses.

In particular, be very careful not to view the Sun without special protective filters as soon as totality ends (i.e. at Third Contact), esp if viewing through magnification (binoculars, telescopes, SLR camera viewfinders, etc.)

I have read in Timothy Ferris' book (Seeing in the Dark) a description of how he had briefly observed the Bailey's Beads through a telescope/binoculars at Third Contact without filters, and damaged the retina in that eye (part of it was dislodged and floaters were created). He said he could have blinded that eye.


So, when the Sun's disc is not 100.00% blocked by the Moon, DO NOT VIEW THE SUN WITHOUT SPECIAL FILTERS ESPECIALLY IF VIEWING THROUGH MAGNIFICATION (BINOCULARS / TELESCOPE / SLR CAMERA VIEWFINDER, ETC).

Therefore, as soon as totality ends, stop viewing the Sun using magnification without filters. I think it's best to keep track of time as to when totality will soon end. Same caution applies before totality starts.

Let's hope we all remember this! I hope I remember it too.

[Bergkamp_]

Good reminder for new people here. Starfinder can be the singastro formation safety.