25 questions and answers

11) Why should I never look directly at the Sun?

You should not look directly at the Sun during an eclipse for the same reason you should not look at it under normal conditions. But the eclipse can trick you into thinking it is safe.

During an eclipse, ambient light decreases and your pupils dilate. Even if it seems safe to look, your wide-open pupils allow more radiation to enter at once, and the damage can be even greater.

The Sun continues to emit dangerous radiation even when it is partially covered by the Moon. It emits very intense ultraviolet and infrared radiation . Ultraviolet light burns the cells of the retina, and infrared radiation heats and damages the tissues of the eye, although you may not notice this because the retina has no pain receptors. The result can be solar retinopathy, an irreversible injury that causes blind spots or permanent vision loss.