Turn your back to the eclipse?

iceman (Mike) · #1 18-10-2012, 05:25 PM

I was contacted by the ASO - the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists, who are raising public awareness about the risks and dangers of an eclipse.

They've put together a handout and also have information on their website.

Their advice is to turn your back to the eclipse, and not to use any direct viewing methods including using solar filters. They recommend to use indirect viewing methods such as pinhole projection (with your back to the eclipse), or to simply watch a webcast online.

They explain on their website (link above) the potential damage that can be caused.

And I also heard stories of people who suffered eye damage from the recent solar eclipse in China I think it was? No doubt because of unsafe viewing methods.

In part I'm presenting this information for the advice of the IceInSpace Community.

The other part of me says, with certified safe solar filters such as the IceInSpace Eclipse Glasses, it's perfectly safe to view the sun directly - but obviously care must be taken with children to ensure they are wearing them correctly.

For people who have experienced an eclipse, what are your thoughts?

I thought this thread could generate some interesting discussion.

bojan · #2 18-10-2012, 05:33 PM

Nanny state...

Larryp (Laurie) · #3 18-10-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bojan

Nanny state...

ditto

TrevorW · #4 18-10-2012, 06:22 PM

I remember as a kid we used to view the sun through beer bottles

(bugger who put that chair there

, it's always been there dear)

sheeny (Al) · #5 18-10-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bojan

Nanny state...

It does sound like it.

I suppose they recommend welders work behind their back too...

Al.

Kunama · #6 18-10-2012, 07:26 PM

I can understand their concern which in many (most) cases is warranted for people will look at the eclipse unprotected during the period of totality (which in most case won't actually be totality due to their location). Many will stare through old negatives and other darkening media.

The more educated (hopefully everyone on this forum) will do it the right way with proper certified protection.

My brother-in-law is an Opthalmologist and my wife is the Opthalmology Research Co-ordinator for the Canberra Eye Hospital and the horror stories I have heard .....................

Check your solar filters, then recheck them and just to be sure check them once more ......... the eye damage through a telescope is totally painless and almost instantaneous !!!!

EDIT: an excerpt:
"Unlike glass filters, Baader film does not have a perfect cosmetic surface. Wrinkles, folds, kinks, pinholes and other imperfections in this film are normal and will be present on any Baader film solar filter purchased from us. These do not affect the image quality or safety of the filter. Pinholes, even at full solar intensity, work as a camera obscura. This means that each pinhole would project its own solar image, just like eyepiece projection. "

The above statement is from advertising material for a commonly used filtering medium ......... I personally would check for the abovementioned pinholes and try and use a piece of film not so afflicted ......... each his own I guess !

AndrewJ · #7 18-10-2012, 07:29 PM

Any Triffids in FNQ????

Andrew

Allan_L (Allan) · #8 18-10-2012, 07:59 PM

There are obviously a lot of experts here who have experience in these areas, and assume everybody else does too.
How unfortunate if that proves not to be the case.

Whereas I agree that we are definitely becoming a nanny state, I do not see this thread as propagating that end.

So...
If you know what you are doing, do what you know,
but
if you are new to safe solar observing, better be safe than sorry, IMHO.

And even knowing it is perfectly safe during the total phase can be misleading, because the majority of Australians will not be in the "safe zone" during totality. And I dare say the warning is aimed at them.

Paul Haese · #9 18-10-2012, 08:33 PM

Total crap. Yes take precautions but the total phase is perfectly safe to view directly. During the partials the eclipse glasses are just as safe. People not using correct protection are the ones that end up doing eye injury. They always do this as an arse covering exercise. Been to two totals now and not blind yet.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #10 18-10-2012, 08:58 PM

I think the thing to remember is that potentially a lot of people may attempt to look at the eclipse without a good understanding of what is going on. Yes, during totality it is perfectly safe, but for many people they may not comprehend that that safe period is only 2 minutes or so.
Many who will be interested are not astronomy minded or educated and the precautions need to be slated to them.
I think we as educated amatuers should be doing our utmost to ensure that everyone who wants to can view the eclipse safely.

Malcolm

strongmanmike (Michael) · #11 18-10-2012, 09:56 PM

It's probably better to listen to a careful Nanny than a drunk she-be-right Uncle....

AndrewJ · #12 18-10-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

It's probably better to listen to a careful Nanny than a drunk she-be-right Uncle....

Or, alternatively, provide unbiased information based on facts, listen to both sides and make up your own mind.
Its about time people were told the risks and precautions
and then left alone.
Darwin will sort the rest out.

Andrew

strongmanmike (Michael) · #13 18-10-2012, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

Or, alternatively, provide unbiased information based on facts, listen to both sides and make up your own mind.
Its about time people were told the risks and precautions
and then left alone.
Darwin will sort the rest out.

Andrew

Are you an uncle...?

AndrewJ · #14 18-10-2012, 10:59 PM

Gday Mike

Quote:

Are you an uncle...?

Nope.
Just someone who believes i am responsible for myself.

Andrew

strongmanmike (Michael) · #15 18-10-2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

Gday Mike

Nope.
Just someone who believes i am responsible for myself.

Andrew

Good for you

I ain't turning my back on the eclipse either

ourkind (Carlos) · #16 19-10-2012, 02:11 AM

The only time I'll be turning my back on the eclipse is if there's an angry croc coming towards me

GrahamL · #17 19-10-2012, 06:24 AM

Thanks Mike, While most all of us are aware of the risks with solar
viewing many others arn't, passing on some timely and reasonable information from health profesionals is a good thing .

AstralTraveller (David) · #18 19-10-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ourkind

The only time I'll be turning my back on the eclipse is if there's an angry croc coming towards me

Actually there is a good time to turn your back on the eclipse but it has nothing to do with eye protection. The Moon's shadow approaches from the west and you can see it coming! It will actually pass overhead just before totality producing strange lighting effects. So look west before second contact young man!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #19 19-10-2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Their advice is to turn your back to the eclipse, and not to use any direct viewing methods including using solar filters.

Now isn't this interesting Mike .

I don't know if you remember a couple of years ago I was in touch with Fair Trading/Consumer Affairs about the plastic solar filters that come with cheap scopes in an effort to get them banned. There was a thread about it somewhere, but according to FT; after contacting and speaking with "optical experts" and Ophthalmologists the little filters were fine to use

You now after years of using telescopes and solar filters I just feel so damn stupid.

Who do I believe

pixelsaurus (Mike) · #20 19-10-2012, 09:07 AM

You can use a small plane mirror ( as found in cosmetic powder compacts) to reflect the sun's image onto a distant wall. I did it at the solar eclipse in Albany,WA in 1973. Dirt cheap and safer than direct viewing. I believe the theory is the mirror acts as an infinite series of reflective pinhole mirrors.