Solar eclipse, I don't understand why we can't look 😬

[Abouteffingtime]

I'm not stupid....really.

So mormally, if you look at the sun, its bright, but doesn't appear do any harm. (Based on my random viewing of the sun on occasion...) Can anyone explain to me why the solar eclipse is different?

Or, is it actually different?

Well I did poke a hole in each of the lenses to see better. Fuckers were pitch black! Can’t see a bloody thing with them on.

Ok, now I think you're pulling my leg. 😂
Cheeky monkey you. 🐒

You can’t really look directly at the sun because it’s so bright you squint , screw up your eyes , turn your head away + your pupils contract to be tiny , hence not allowing the light to enter and damage your retinas .
Eg I’ve walked out of a darker building into sunlight and my eyes can’t bear it , I squint and then can’t see .
So I put my sunglasses on / look away .
the eclipse is something we would like to watch and are interested in + the glare of the sun is dimmed at that point allowing our pupils to open and let the dangerous UV rays in .

Agree. Can’t understand the desperation to view it in RL.

Have made the pinhole box and got the colander and white cardboard at ready. Keep safe and don't look directly at the sun.

IKR?!
I think it's due to Insta and Experience culture.🤷‍♀️
Hoping my posts will educate and dissuade people from chancing a peek. 🤞

You can’t understand why human beings wouldn’t want to view a once in a lifetime celestial experience? Hint: it’s got fuck all to do with Instagram.

There is nothing wrong with viewing the eclipse with the correct glasses.

It was mentioned on BBC breakfast this morning that a man who used a welding helmet damaged his eyes. They have shown clips of him using it. I wouldn't chance it.

I flew across the world for a total eclipse 9 years ago! It was absolutely incredible.

We made a pin hole camera viewer yesterday and will see if it works tonight and have a chat about it.

It's summer holidays perfect time to do some crafting with the kids and teach them a bit about the world. Plus it killed an hour as we found the bits, made it, tried it out during which the TV and screens were blank.

Just go into the garden now with pinhole box, BACK TO THE SUN, and peer through. You will see a small round disc which is the sun safely reflected. It'll become a very small crescent at around 7.10 pm tonight give or take a few minutes either side.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/blog/2026/where-in-the-uk-will-you-have-the-best-chance-of-seeing-this-weeks-eclipse

I want to experience the shift in light and sound while it happens. Won’t get that in my lounge.

It’s not a total eclipse. It won’t get very dark or quiet.

Unless you’re on the path of totality (not UK)

At 95% totality there will be a marked change.

You don't have to bother with it if you don't want to. It's not compulsory.

An eclipse has more concentrated solar rays alongside darkness which makes it dangerous for eyes without filters

I'd find it impossible to look directly at the sun!

So was glancing at the sun today at 7pm the same as glancing at the sun at 7pm tomorrow night? And I mean glance, as in while driving and checking a junction which is in the same direction? Not eclipse watching.

I really enjoyed it! Came home in time to see the totality on TV.

Some photos I took with a solar telescope.

I did bother. Where in the UK was it 95%?!

These are great. We are on holiday and I couldn’t bring all my kit but having seen a total eclipse previously, I wasn’t too bothered.

Had loads of people pass us who didn’t really know what they were doing so we shared our glasses and explained what was happening. Met some really lovely people and there was a lovely atmosphere. :)

I’m bliiiiiiiind!!!!

Actually no, we saw fark all but thick clouds 👍🏻

Had someone suggesting that possibly the welding mask I had been looking through might have been dangerous because there was a BBC story about someone in 1999 who damaged their eyes looking through a welding mask that wasn't up to snuff. Health anxiety at its greatest.