Physicist Anatoly Podyman from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology warned Russians to protect their eyes when viewing the upcoming total solar eclipse. Speaking to Weather Mail, the Physics for Everyone project lecturer explained that observing the event without protection can cause severe damage.
Podyman said that even when the Moon covers nearly all of the solar disk, the remaining light emits intense visible rays alongside invisible infrared and ultraviolet radiation. He noted that infrared radiation can overheat eye tissues while ultraviolet radiation damages cells, potentially injuring the retina.
Safe viewing methods
Podyman advised spectators to view the eclipse using special glasses, binoculars, or telescopes equipped with certified solar filters. He added that indirect observation methods are also effective, such as projecting the image of the Sun through a small hole onto a sheet of paper.
Ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass, compact discs, X-ray images, and colored film will not provide proper protection, Podyman emphasized. The eclipse will start around 20:00 Moscow time on the Taymyr Peninsula in remote areas before the lunar shadow travels toward the North Pole, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.
