Can Watching a Solar Eclipse Damage Your Eyes? [WE EXPLAIN]

On Thursday, we will witness a rare astronomical phenomenon such as a solar eclipse. It is a fascinating event, but also dangerous to our health if we are not properly prepared. How to safely watch a solar eclipse? What not to use when looking at a star?

1. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is between the sun and earth 
2. On Thursday in Poland we will witness the so-called annular eclipse
3. Part of the sun’s disk will be obscured, but still looking at the star can damage our eyesight
4. To protect yourself from this, you should use the appropriate filters. Sunglasses are not enough, and neither is X-ray film
5. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

Solar Eclipse – When To Watch?

The solar eclipse will occur on Thursday, June 10. In Poland, such a clear eclipse can be observed for the first time in six years. The eclipse will last about two hours, it will be 5 to 15 percent obscured, depending on the region of the country – the further north, the greater the area of ​​the sun will be obscured.

The earliest solar eclipse – at 11.38 – will start in north-western Poland, in the south-eastern regions it will be observed from the south. The end of the phenomenon will be between 13.45pm and 14.00pm (the further east you go, the later).

Looking at a solar eclipse – what is the risk for our eyesight?

A solar eclipse viewed directly is very dangerous for our eyes. The lack of appropriate filters may result in irreversible damage to eyesight. The sun emits several types of radiation, not all of them are absorbed by the ozone layer.

1. Damage to the eye (sight) after viewing a solar eclipse

Exposing our eyes to solar radiation can lead to, among others retinal damage, cataracts, macular degeneration, corneal thickening, snow blindness or conjunctival degeneration. Each of these ailments can result in a complete loss of vision.

Solar Eclipse – How to Watch Safely?

Let’s repeat it again, although it is obvious – a solar eclipse should not be seen with the naked eye. We can do even more harm by viewing this phenomenon through optical devices without appropriate filters, such as binoculars, a spotting scope or a camera.

1. Modern methods of eye treatment

Probably many people have used these items in the past, but you should also not see the Sun through photographic or X-ray film, CD, floppy disk, tinted glass, foil for flowers, 3D film glasses, and even sunglasses. However, glasses or a welding mask will work.

It is best to use special glasses designed for this, equipped with Baader foil or simply a Baader filter. You can buy them at astronomy stores. However, before use, you should check them for damage or scratches. Remember also that you should put them on before looking at the sun.

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