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pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
Fri Aug 11, 2017, 12:35 AM Aug 2017

I just learned that an otherwise smart, informed college graduate didn't know

that you can't directly watch a solar eclipse (partial or total) without special glasses. (You wouldn't need them for the exact moment of a total eclipse, but you'd need them before and after.)

YIKES! Make sure all your loved ones know!

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I just learned that an otherwise smart, informed college graduate didn't know (Original Post) pnwmom Aug 2017 OP
Hopefully the advanced word on this will be getting out on the various a.m. oasis Aug 2017 #1
No one has told you to not look directly at the sun? angstlessk Aug 2017 #2
Most people don't have to be told because it HURTS to look directly at the sun. pnwmom Aug 2017 #4
Got you...good advise..I saw the last one in the 60's angstlessk Aug 2017 #5
Blinded By the Light struggle4progress Aug 2017 #3
I watched a few eclipse videos on YouTube LeftInTX Aug 2017 #6
That is entirely unsurprising misanthrope Aug 2017 #7
+1... IthinkThereforeIAM Aug 2017 #8
Sadly, yes. n/t susanna Aug 2017 #10
🦄 Bladewire Aug 2017 #9
A friend of mine asked me if she needed to put special glasses on her dog wishstar Aug 2017 #11
It is more dangerous on eclipse days, because your eyes don't hurt during the eclipse. yardwork Aug 2017 #12

oasis

(49,152 posts)
1. Hopefully the advanced word on this will be getting out on the various a.m.
Fri Aug 11, 2017, 12:54 AM
Aug 2017

radio and tv shows and social media.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
2. No one has told you to not look directly at the sun?
Fri Aug 11, 2017, 12:54 AM
Aug 2017

For a length of time? Not sure when I learned it, but it was BEFORE college!

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
4. Most people don't have to be told because it HURTS to look directly at the sun.
Fri Aug 11, 2017, 01:01 AM
Aug 2017

However, during an eclipse you could look without that pain -- but permanent vision damage could still be occurring.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
5. Got you...good advise..I saw the last one in the 60's
Fri Aug 11, 2017, 01:13 AM
Aug 2017

You are correct the urge to look before the total eclipse is very compelling...we had visors.

LeftInTX

(24,560 posts)
6. I watched a few eclipse videos on YouTube
Fri Aug 11, 2017, 01:31 AM
Aug 2017

The sun is so bright and blinding, even a few seconds from totality

You can see at the 1:28 mark. Within 6 seconds they have to put the filters back on their lenses.

misanthrope

(7,405 posts)
7. That is entirely unsurprising
Fri Aug 11, 2017, 01:37 AM
Aug 2017

considering trends in American education and the position science holds in American culture.

wishstar

(5,267 posts)
11. A friend of mine asked me if she needed to put special glasses on her dog
Fri Aug 11, 2017, 07:07 AM
Aug 2017

She thought there was something inherently more dangerous on eclipse day. I had to explain to her that directly staring at sun is dangerous any day and her dog was not in any more danger than on any other day. But better to err on side of caution I guess.

yardwork

(61,418 posts)
12. It is more dangerous on eclipse days, because your eyes don't hurt during the eclipse.
Fri Aug 11, 2017, 07:12 AM
Aug 2017

While nobody would stare at the sun on a normal day - too painful - it's possible to stare at the partially obscured sun before and after the eclipse. And that's when the eye damage occurs.

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