Some great eclipse pics
 

Very cool. Reminds me of Delores Claiborne, only less New Englandy and more Asiany. ;)

Does viewing directly really burn your retinas? Why? What is in the glasses (or even more weird, what is it about a pinhole device thingy) that keeps your eyes from charring?

When I looked at those, I couldn't help but notice how creative the photographers got, finding something interesting to include in the picture, 'cause the Sun looks the same. :haha:

It will damage your eyes, absolutely. "Burn your retinas?" Not exactly, but that may be a matter of interpretation. Also a real-life account.

The filters cut back the infrared, UV, and other damaging stuff. THe problem is you could still get in trouble if a bit of the filter is damaged and lets a bit in. The pinhole thingys project an image of the sun onto a surface, so you're getting indirect light.

What Steve meant to say in the first link:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...e-you-go-blind

See (pun intended) how much I learn here?

Thanks! :)

Very cool. It is also interesting to note how different cultures respond to these events as being magical or significant signs from the nether-nether land.