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Dos and Don’ts of watching Solar Eclipse – Precautions while viewing Surya Grahan

The most important precaution to be taken during Solar Eclipse is not to watch the eclipse with naked eye. Watching the Eclipse with naked eye might cause permanent damage to the eye or blindness. The safest method of viewing a Total Solar Eclipse is by projection, in which a small opening is used to cast the image of the Sun on a screen beyond the opening.

Don’ts During Solar Eclipse

  • Never watch the eclipse with a naked eye.
  • Don’t use Binoculars to view the eclipse.
  • Don’t use Telescope to view the eclipse.
  • Don’t use any cheap or easily available filters in Telescope or Binoculars to view the sun. Only specifically designed filters should be used with Telescope and Binoculars.
  • Don’t watch the eclipse using color film.
  • Don’t watch the eclipse with non-silver black and white film.
  • Don’t watch the eclipse with medical x-ray films with images on them.
  • Don’t use smoked glass to view the sun.
  • All developed films lack a silver emulsion and therefore it should not be used to view the eclipse.

Do’s During Solar Eclipse

  • You should take the advice of an experienced person or a scientist before planning to view a Total Solar Eclipse
  • Only use specifically designed spectacles designed with filters to view the eclipse.
  • The safest method of viewing a Total Solar Eclipse is by projection, in which a small opening is used to cast the image of the Sun on a screen beyond the opening.
  • It is safe to view the total phase of an eclipse (when the moon completely coves the sun) with naked eye. But one needs to know when to stop and start viewing the total phase. So this is bit risky.
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