‘Ring of fire’ Solar Eclipse: What can happen if you watch an eclipse with the naked eye?
solar eclipse painted a scintillating "ring of fire" across North, Central, and South America. While astronomers encouraged everyone to witness this rare event, it was vital to do so safely. Sunglasses were simply not enough to shield one's eyes from the powerful rays of the sun during this celestial show.
The 'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse:
Annular solar eclipses, like the one in question, bear the nickname «ring of fire» for a distinctive reason. Unlike total solar eclipses, in which the moon entirely conceals the sun, annular eclipses occur when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth, leaving a fiery ring of sunlight encircling the moon's shadow.
In addition to the annular eclipse, weather permitting, a crescent-shaped partial solar eclipse was visible across all 49 continental U.S. states, including Alaska, as confirmed by NASA. However, it's essential to understand that even during these eclipses, when only part of the sun is obscured, some of the sun's powerful light remains visible. And looking directly at this brilliance with the naked eye is not just uncomfortable; it's perilous.
What can happen if you watch an eclipse with the naked eye?
The only time it's safe to gaze at the sun without any eye protection is during the «totality» of a total solar eclipse, which North America would experience on April 8, 2024. According to NASA, there are different types of eclipses, and they require distinct safety precautions.
Dr. Carrie Black, the National Science Foundation program officer for the National Solar Observatory, emphasizes, «During an annular eclipse, because the surface of the sun is not entirely covered, you must wear glasses or view indirectly at all times.»
Directly staring at the sun, even
