Solar eclipse 2020: Is it safe to look at the eclipsed Sun?
ECLIPSE fans may this Monday see the Sun obscured from the sky. But is it safe to look directly at an eclipse?
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A solar eclipse event occurring on Monday, December 14, 2020 will take place over South America’s Southern Cone. An eclipse occurs when the Moon sweeps across the daytime sky to fully obscure the solar disk, from our planet''s perspective. This briefly blocks all Sunlight, except from its outermost layer, known as the corona.
Is it safe to look at the eclipsed Sun?
However tempting as it may be, never look directly at a solar eclipse with naked eyes.
Normal sunglasses or telescopes require a special solar filter to prevent users from damaging their vision.
NASA is among those cautioning it is important to never look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse.
The US-based space agency said: “Looking directly at the sun can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
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“After viewing a solar eclipse, seek treatment from an eye care professional if you or your child have any changes in vision that continue to get worse.”
“Exposing your eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during a solar eclipse can cause “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns, also known as solar retinopathy.
“This exposure to the light can cause damage or even destroy cells in the retina that transmit what you see to the brain.
“This damage can be temporary or permanent and occurs with no pain. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realise the damage that has occurred.”
Monday’s total solar eclipse is now known to commence above the Pacific ocean.
The eclipse will then swiftly make landfall above Chile where it first appear as a partial solar eclipse at 11.38am local time (2.28pm GMT)
The Moon will then transit to totally block the Sun from 1pm local time (4pm GMT).
This remarkable celestial event will last for exactly two minutes and four seconds.
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The approximate 56-mile-wide (90km) path of totality will travel east across Chile and Argentin
The final area to witness the total eclipse before it moves over the Atlantic Ocean will be Argentina’s Salina del Eje
Totality in this region ends at 1.25pm local time (4.25 GMT).
Viewers throughout most of South America can therefore – weather permitting – enjoy a view of a partial solar eclipse.
This will see Moon appear to take a mouthful from the solar disk.
Antarctica will also be exposed to up to a 40% partial solar eclipse. Above the line of totality, a partial eclipse can be seen as far north as Ecuador.
The next total solar eclipse will appear over South America on December 4 new year.