Page 31 - Dream June 2020

ANNULAR S LAR ECLIPSE
TOOLS
IGaurav Jain
magine yourself standing outside your house in the afternoon hours and suddenly it gets dark, stars start appearing in the sky, the temperature drops and then after a few minutes the Sun reappears again, and everything
returns back to normal. This is a typical sequence of events that follow in course of a total solar eclipse. In fact, observing a total solar eclipse can be an unforgettable experience. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth. Although observing a solar eclipse may be exciting, remember, it is never advisable to observe a solar eclipse directly with naked eyes or with a telescope or similar optical device. If you don’t take proper care while looking at Sun directly, it may damage your eyes. We all know that if we focus sunlight on dry leaves with the help of a magnifying glass they catch fire. Your eyes also have a similar lens and when you look at the Sun with naked eyes, the same thing happens to your retina (the back potion of your eye) – it gets burnt, causing reduced vision or even blindness. And as your eyes don’t have any pain receptor you would not even know about it.
The solar eclipse of 21 June 2020 is not a total solar eclipse; the Moon will not completely cover the Sun but will leave a bright ring or ‘annulus’ around it. That is why it is called an annular eclipse. Unlike a total eclipse where it is safe to watch the Sun at totality, it is not safe to watch an annular eclipse at any time because even at the time of annularity the Sun will be bright enough to damage the eye.
A solar eclipse can be observed safely only if proper precautions are taken. Described here are some safe direct and indirect methods of observing the Sun. Following these methods, you can feel the thrill of watching the eclipse.
Direct methods of observing the solar eclipse safely
Solar filter goggles
Solar filter goggles offer the easiest and most convenient means of observing a solar eclipse. These goggles are made using approved solar filters in a cardboard frame. It is worn just like ordinary goggles. In case you normally wear spectacles you can mount your solar filter goggles over them. Even while using
filters the Sun should not be observed consistently for a long time; look at the Sun through the filters for a while and then look at something else for some time.
Welder’s goggles
To look at the Sun directly, a number 14 welder’s goggles is also a safe alternative. Compared to other devices used for looking at the Sun it can be more easily obtained, but is costlier than the solar filter goggles and the Sun appears of unnatural green colour when we see through it. It should be used only as an alternative.
Safe methods of observing solar eclipse
Solar filter goggles (Credit: https://astronomy.wonderhowto. com/how-to/red-ring-fire-heres-watch-sundays-annular- solar-eclipse-and-not-get-blinded-0135101/)
Welder’s glass (Credit: https://astronomy.wonderhowto. com/how-to/red-ring-fire-heres-watch-sundays- annular-solar-eclipse-and-not-get-blinded-0135101/)
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