9 replies to this topic

[efair]

I see in the terms of service that discussion of "dangerous solar viewing" is forbidden on this site. Is the topic of viewing the eclipse entirely forbidden? Or is it acceptable to ask rookie how-to questions?

My intent is to view the totality unfiltered, using a stopwatch with an audible alarm.

TIA!

[steveward53]

Everything you'll need to know can be found in the dedicated Solar Eclipse forum here ... https://www.cloudyni...r-eclipse-2024/

[efair]

Thank you Steve!

[DeepSky Di]

I use the solar eclipse timer app which tells me when to remove the filter or lens cap.

[DeepSky Di]

Moving to Solar Eclipse forum.

[dcaponeii]

The risk from viewing the eclipse with the unaided eye is grossly overblown in the media.  You can look at the Sun even when there isn't an eclipse for brief periods and not cause permanent eye damage.  As totality approaches you can look for even longer lengths of time until at totality you are free to observe the entire totality portion of the eclipse including the diamond ring.  This media hype on viewing the eclipse is getting absurd.  Now that does NOT include using ANY optical magnification of any kind so definitely no binoculars or small telescopes without proper full-aperture solar filters in place.

[michael8554]

As soon as someone says "You can look at the Sun even when there isn't an eclipse for brief periods and not cause permanent eye damage." 

 

As most people are unaware of the dangers, they will do so, having skipped the bit about not doing so with binos etc.

 

But why would you want to, your eyes will water for ages ?

 

The number of cameras that have been ruined because they've focussed the sun on to the unfiltered sensor is legendary.

 

Same for eyes.

 

Best to be safe.

[dcaponeii]

As soon as someone says "You can look at the Sun even when there isn't an eclipse for brief periods and not cause permanent eye damage." 

 

As most people are unaware of the dangers, they will do so, having skipped the bit about not doing so with binos etc.

 

But why would you want to, your eyes will water for ages ?

 

The number of cameras that have been ruined because they've focussed the sun on to the unfiltered sensor is legendary.

 

Same for eyes.

 

Best to be safe.

Hence the final sentence in my post above!!  I had an eyepiece-mounted solar filter catastrophically fail on me during full Sin observations back in the 1970's.  I now have TWO blind spots in the affected eye, BOTH of which remain invisible.  Given my experience with getting the full Sun focused with a telescope onto my retina and numerous decades of observational experience in the time since I can speak with some experience regarding the ridiculousness of the media reporting regarding the risks of UNAIDED brief visual observation of the Sun with the unaided eye.  Frankly, if someone is actually dumb enough to stare at the Sun for many minutes continuously, they deserve what they get, because you'd have to violently resist your own bodies signals to avert your glance.  I have faith in the sensibility of the average person and have NO concern for the ones without enough common sense to require warnings!!  However, once again, for the record, DO NOT observe the Sun with any optical device without a full-aperture solar filter.
 

[michael8554]

I can't remember who, but a famous renaissance astronomer went blind from persistent eyeball analysis of the Sun.

[steveward53]

I can't remember who, but a famous renaissance astronomer went blind from persistent eyeball analysis of the Sun.

No , you're thinking of Galileo who indeed went blind in later life (72) but through non-related reasons.

 

https://academic.oup.../1/1.13/2464649

 

https://aty.sdsu.edu...on/Galileo.html

Edited by steveward53, 08 April 2024 - 06:57 AM.