Solar Eclipse is not only scientifically important, but it also holds a great religious significance across large parts of the world. The phenomenon takes place when the Moon comes in between the Sun and the earth and obstructs the sunlight coming to the earth's surface. The latest solar eclipse was witnessed today on October 25. The partial solar eclipse started in Iceland at around 14:29 hours IST and ended at around 18:32 hours (IST) over the Arabian Sea. So, can watching a solar eclipse with naked eyes harm eyesight? Here's what NASA has to say about it.
According to NASA, except for when the moon completely blocks the Sun in a total eclipse, looking directly at the Sun can be dangerous for eyesight. The space agency recommends using specialised eye protection for solar viewing.
It explained that viewing the Solar eclipse through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a solar filter can instantly cause severe eye injury. The US space agency said that the safe solar viewing glasses or ‘eclipse glasses' are different from regular sunglasses as these are thousands of times darker. Further, eclipse glasses should not be worn while looking at the Sun using a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope as the concentrated solar rays can burn through the filter and hence, severely damage eyes. However, these devices when equipped with standard solar filters protect eyes.
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