Some great eclipse pics

dar512 • Jul 24, 2009 12:16 pm
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/07/the_longest_solar_eclipse_of_t.html
Shawnee123 • Jul 24, 2009 12:18 pm
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?
xoxoxoBruce • Jul 24, 2009 12:21 pm
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:
SteveDallas • Jul 24, 2009 12:44 pm
Shawnee123;583702 wrote:
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?

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.
dar512 • Jul 24, 2009 12:49 pm
What Steve meant to say in the first link:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2585/will-looking-directly-at-a-solar-eclipse-make-you-go-blind
Shawnee123 • Jul 24, 2009 12:51 pm
See (pun intended) how much I learn here?

Thanks! :)
TheMercenary • Jul 25, 2009 9:25 am
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.