Partial Solar Eclipse should not be seen with naked eyes, scientists warn.
A solar eclipse is one of the grandest spectacles of nature where the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, blocking out the sun's disk completely. In partial solar eclipse or aanshik surya grahan, however, the Moon only partly obscures the Sun's disk. In both the cases, the celestial phenomenon should not be seen with naked eyes, scientists warn, as it may cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye. This year, the partial solar eclipse will occur on February 15, Thursday and will be visible in southern South America, including many locations in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and in Antarctica. It will also be visible from some areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Indians can watch a LIVE stream of the celestial event, to be showcased by NASA on its Youtube channel, Periscope and website. The event can be witnessed from 6:55 PM to 10:47 PM (UTC) and 12:25 AM to 4:17 AM (IST, February 16).
Here are answers of some frequently-asked questions about how to watch a partial solar eclipse:
Why solar eclipse should not be seen with naked eyes?
Looking directly at the Sun, even for just a few seconds, can cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye. The intense visible and invisible radiation that the photosphere of the Sun emits is dangerous and exposure to these rays can result in impairment of vision.
Since the retina is insensitive to pain, the effects of retinal damage may not appear for hours, so there is no warning of any injury.
Viewing the Sun's disk through any kind of optical aid (binoculars, a telescope, or even an optical camera viewfinder) is extremely hazardous and can cause irreversible eye damage within a fraction of a second.
What gear should be used to see a solar eclipse?
Scientists say that the only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as "eclipse glasses" or hand-held solar viewers.
Are sunglasses fit to see solar eclipse?
Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight, says NASA.
Do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer as the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury, the aeronautics and aerospace research agency advises.
When can solar eclipse be looked at with naked eyes?
Looking directly at the sun is unsafe during a solar eclipse except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse ("totality"), when the moon entirely blocks the sun's bright face, which will happen only within the narrow path of totality.
What should be kept in mind while using eclipse glasses?
NASA suggests the following precautions:
- When using or buying the eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers, they should be verified to be compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for such products.
- Always inspect solar filter before use. If scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
- Always supervise children using solar filters.
- Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After looking at the sun, turn away and remove your filter - do not remove it while looking at the sun.
- Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
- Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.
Can I look at solar eclipse with my spectacles on?
The eyeglass wearers can keep them on and put eclipse glasses on over them, or hold the hand-held viewer in front of them.
How to see solar eclipse without eclipse glasses or solar viewers?
An alternative method for safe viewing of the partially eclipsed sun is pinkhole projection.
What is a Pinkhole Projector? Can I make it at home?To make a quick version of the pinhole projector, take a sheet of paper and make a tiny hole in the middle of it using a pin. Make sure that the hole is round and smooth. With your back towards the Sun, hold a piece of paper above your shoulder allowing the Sun to shine on the paper. The second sheet of paper will act as a screen. Hold it at a distance, and you will see an inverted image of the Sun projected on the paper screen through the pinhole.