Quote:
Originally Posted by TrevorW
Question
how many people do you know who have be blinded or had their eye affected by viewing an eclipse
me: none
how many people do you know who have cancer or some form or another
me: at least 3
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I don't get the point of this post........
Unsafe solar viewing doesn't necessarily blind you instantly, the results of unsafe viewing are called 'solar retinopathy' where the intense/excessive light on the retina causes a release of various chemicals inside the eye which damage ones eyesight, the condition is painless and effects are not noted immediately, however, when you magnify the sun's intense light by placing your beautiful Apochromatic objective lens and eyepiece in the path between your eye and Sol you reduce the time required to do damage by approximately your FL/EP fl.
The advise given in the original post is aimed at the lowest common denominator, not the experienced astronomer, there really are people who will damage their eyesight watching this eclipse.
You would be surprised what people are capable of, like the 50 people blinded in India while staring directly at the sun hoping to glimpse an image of the Virgin Mary. It happens .............. and given that eyesight is rather an important part of this hobby of ours these things are worth considering.