Indications on How to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse

STATES CHRONICLE – Specialists share some of their knowledge, giving us some advice regarding the upcoming total solar eclipse this year. If you are one of those people who enjoy stargazing or looking at eclipses, then you should know how to do it without putting yourself in danger properly. We all know that is not at all healthy to look at an eclipse with your naked eye.

Surprisingly, scientists debunk this myth. NASA together with four other medical organizations claims that your vision will not be affected if you look at a solar eclipse without wearing protection glasses. However, they argue that it is ok for us to watch it only when the sun is completely covered by the moon.

A total solar eclipse happens when the disk of the sun hides behind the moon, being completely covered by it. A partial solar eclipse is when the disk of the moon partially covers the disk of the sun. Total solar eclipses are extremely rare. This year, those leaving the continental US will witness such an eclipse crossing the continent from coast to coast.

NASA noted that those passionate of astrology, eclipses and the cosmos, can safely watch the celestial event with the naked eye. Based on the data provided by NASA’s site on the upcoming eclipse, we find out that during those seconds when the moon completely blocks the bright light of the sun, the day will turn into night and the outer atmosphere of the star will be visible.

Specialists pointed out that if skywatchers are bound to see the whole process, from the beginning until its end, they will need protection glasses to watch the celestial event safely. To make sure everybody is informed regarding the forthcoming event, NASA decided to release a guide on safe watching the eclipse.

NASA collaborated with the National Science Foundation, the American Academy of Optometry, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Astronomical Society to provide accurate data for the public eager to witness the spectacular and rare event. By looking directly into the bright light of the sun, you can damage your vision, or you could even get blind.

If you do not have protection glasses, you can look at the eclipse through the pinhole of your camera, following the entire progress of the moon.

Image courtesy of: flickr