Do not look at the Sun during the Great American Total Eclipse

Do not look at the Sun during the Great American Total Eclipse

By E. Stanley Ukeni

Even with all the warnings not to look directly at the sun during the Total Eclipse of the Sun that will occur across the United States tomorrow, I be there will be those stubborn few who will be tempted to look. If you’re one of those…please, don’t give in to the temptation.

I am quite concerned that, despite the abundance of caution, people will still be tempted to look directly at the sun on Monday, August 21, 2017—during the Great American Eclipse. 

Let me try to dissuade anyone who would have his or her curiosity to get the better of them, by sharing my opinion of what would happen if they try to look directly at the sun during the eclipse.

As you stare at the sun while the eclipse is in progress, you’d probably see flashes of light—sort of like the flashbulb of a camera had gone off. That’s all it’d take for your retina to become permanently damaged.

You’ll become afflicted by what is called solar retinopathy. It is a pinpoint blindness, often in the middle of the eye. This is no fun. You should take this caution very seriously, because nobody should willfully subject themselves to blindness.

It is well to note that anyone who stares at the sun can be stricken with blind spot. On occasions, the blind spot is temporal, but why would you want to take a chance of permanently damaging your sight. My sense is that being blind sucks—especially if it’s self-inflicted.    

Heed this warning! It is never safe to look directly at the sun—particularly during a solar eclipse. The most effective way of keeping your eyesight is by not allowing yourself to be afflicted by solar retinopathy. So let me reiterate, please don’t stare at the sun during the Great American Eclipse.  

The only people who can safely look directly at the sun during the eclipse are those in the area where thetotal eclipse will occur. It is relatively safe to look at the sun’s corona, when the disc of the moon has completely blocked out the sun and the corona is visible. You risk blindness if you continue to stare at the sun once it appears from behind the moon’s full shield.

To be honest, I would even recommend that anyone attempt to look at the sun, even at the moment of total eclipse. It’s just not worth the risk of permanent blindness.

If you like this article, consider becoming a supporter. Thank you.

Authored by E. Stanley Ukeni, © 2017. All Rights Reserved. This material and other articles or stories posted on this blog site may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior expressed written permission from the author, E. Stanley Ukeni.

You are invited to follow E. Stanley Ukeni on twitter at; @EzStan . You’re equally invited to follow him on google+. Oh yeah, don’t forget to subscribe to this blog Site. Thanks.

Photo Credits: NASA;