During a partial solar eclipse, Hrithik says it is safe to look straight at the Sun, because the…
During a partial solar eclipse, Hrithik says it is safe to look straight at the Sun, because the Moon is covering most of it and it isn't as bright as usual — dark sunglasses will be enough. Siddhi says they must never look directly at the Sun, not even with sunglasses, and should watch it through a proper solar eclipse viewer or as a pinhole image on paper instead. Whose plan should they follow?
Who do you think is right? Pick one.
The answer: Siddhi is right, looking straight at the Sun can harm the eyes even during an eclipse
Why
Hrithik is correct that during a partial eclipse less of the Sun is showing and the daylight can feel dimmer. But the part of the Sun that is still uncovered is just as intense as ever, and staring at it can burn the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye. This damage doesn't hurt while it is happening, and it can be permanent. Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, let through far too much light for this, and so do smoked glass and old X-ray film. The safe ways are certified solar eclipse viewers made for this purpose, or not looking at the Sun at all: make a small pinhole in a card and let sunlight pass through it onto a sheet of paper, where a little image of the eclipsed Sun can be watched safely — the same straight-line idea as a pinhole camera. Test: during the next eclipse, look at the dappled patches of light under a leafy tree — the tiny gaps between the leaves act as pinholes, and each patch becomes a little crescent Sun. Siddhi is right: even during an eclipse, never look straight at the Sun; watch it through a proper eclipse viewer or as a pinhole image.
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