Just read an article about a guy whose vision was damaged in the 60's during a partial eclipse - he has a blind spot in one eye that has never gone away in 50 years. His mistake was that he looked directly at the sun during the eclipse for just a few seconds. The article stressed the use of CERTIFIED viewing glasses or pinhole cameras where you are really looking at the eclipse indirectly over your shoulder. 50 years with damaged vision is a heck of a price to pay for a couple of seconds of viewing an eclipse.
Other things mentioned - do not try to take direct pictures of the eclipse, unless you want to buy a new camera or cell phone - your camera lens is as susceptible to damage as the lens in your eye.
And something that really hasn't been mentioned much - keep your pets inside during the eclipse period. Their vision can be affected just as yours can if they happen to look up at the sun. It's about a two-hour window; they'll be fine inside. |
