Why is it dangerous to look at the solar eclipse without glasses?
Monday 8 April, a solar eclipse will be visible across a large swath of the United States. Here’s why it is dangerous to look at it without special glasses.
Millions of people in the United States will be able to witness the solar eclipse on Monday 8 April. While in some parts of the country it will be a total solar eclipse, in others only a partial eclipse will be observed.
However, in both cases it is necessary to have the appropriate equipment to be able to witness the awe-inspiring celestial event, including the use of special glasses, since if they are not used it could be dangerous. We explain why.
Why is it dangerous to observe a solar eclipse without special glasses?
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), except during the brief totality phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the direct light from the Sun,“it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.”
It is important to view the Sun through eclipse glasses or a portable solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality to avoid eye injuries.
“Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury,” notes NASA.
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Why do my eyes hurt? The effects of looking at the solar eclipse without glasses
According to the Prevent Blindness portal, “exposing your eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during a solar eclipse can cause ‘eclipse blindness’ or retinal burns, also known as solar retinopathy.”
“This exposure to the light can cause damage or even destroy cells in the retina (the back of the eye) that transmit what you see to the brain. This damage can be temporary or permanent and occurs with no pain. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage that has occurred,” the site notes.
Safety tips for viewing the solar eclipse
For areas where totality will be reached, observers can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the bright face of the Sun.
As soon as a small part of the bright Sun reappears after its totality, it is necessary to immediately put on the special eclipse glasses again.
Another recommendation from NASA is that even during a partial eclipse or during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the Sun will still be very bright, so it is possible to be exposed to direct sunlight for hours. This is why you must remember to use sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing to avoid skin damage.