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Last Post 10/26/2018 12:21 PM by  Christina Cohen
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10/26/2018 2:40 AM
    If you can look at the sun during the day, and the moon at night, then why during a solar eclipse can’t you look at eclipse with the naked eye if you can only see the sun’s corona.

    Terry Kucera



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    10/26/2018 8:27 AM
    Hi,
    You really should not look right at the Sun during the day – especially don’t stare at it. That can cause eye damage.

    At the time of totality when you really can only see the Sun’s corona it is ok to look at the eclipse. It is a truly spectacular sight!
    However, at the times when the sun’s surface (the photosphere) is visible it is dangerous to look at the sun because it is so bright – over a million times brighter than the much fainter corona.

    Terry

    Christina Cohen



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    10/26/2018 12:21 PM
    Terry's right - definitely don't look at the Sun during the day.

    I think some of the confusion about whether you need eclipse glasses or not for looking at the Sun during the period of totality mostly stems from precaution. As Terry said you can definitely look at the Sun during totality without eclipse glasses and you'll see the amazing corona. But, the period of totality is usually pretty short (less than a few minutes) and you definitely don't want to be staring at the Sun when totality ends (or just before it starts). So a lot of people recommend having glasses on for the whole thing (which is what you need to do if the eclipse is a partial and not total eclipse).

    I will say that if you are watching a total eclipse with glasses, definitely take a peek with your glasses of during totality... it is incredible. Just make sure you get them back on well before totality ends.
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