Go to this site and watch the video. It is a presentation by Dr. Ralph Chou. Dr. Chou is a noted expert on eye safety and viewing the sun. He has written at least two articles for Sky and Telescope that I am aware of. There are some really good facts on this site: http://www.transitofvenus.org/june2012/eye-safety From: David Bennett <dlbennett@mac.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 9:43 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] safe observing Wow, 40 seconds? Where did you read that one? Sounds very risky even during the maximum of an annular (don't call me annual) eclipse. I glimpsed for about 1/4 a second unprotected during the maximum from Salt Lake with the hopes of seeing an after-image with closed eyes...it barely worked but I wouldn't risk my sight doing any more. On May 23, 2012, at 09:08 AM, erikhansen@thebluezone.net wrote: With a few posts talking about exaggerated claims of the dangers of solar observing during an eclipse. Did anyone try to glimpse the eclipse without eye protection? After all, it was said to can look for 40 seconds without permanent eye damage. Erik _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".