One is safe to watch, the other never is
Two eclipses, and only one is safe to look at. Which one?
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The idea
Step 1 of 4
- Never look straight at the Sun during an eclipse.
- A pinhole card, set up with your teacher, back to the Sun.
- It throws a small picture onto a second card.
- Watch that card. Your eyes never point at the Sun.
The rule
The lunar eclipse is the safe one.
Never look straight at the Sun, even in an eclipse. A lunar eclipse is safe to watch.
Even a partly covered Sun can harm your eyes. Sunglasses do not make it safe. Binoculars and telescopes do not make it safe either.
| Lunar eclipse | Solar eclipse | |
|---|---|---|
| Look straight at it | Yes, it is safe | Never |
| Sunglasses, binoculars or a telescope | Not needed | Never |
| A picture on a screen, set up by your teacher | Not needed | Safe |