Observe - Sun and Safety

The Sun is the major source of light on Earth, and all life on Earth depends on the Sun for energy.  For light and energy from the Sun to reach Earth from so far away in space, it must be very bright.  Looking directly at the bright light from the Sun focuses a large amount of energy onto a tiny area in your eyeball.  The brightness of the Sun can cause serious damage when you look directly at it.  Also, looking at the Sun through binoculars or a telescope is extremely dangerous because the brightness is magnified further by those devices.  The sun also gives off damaging UVA/UVB radiation that can harm your eyes even when you are not looking directly at it.  You will be learning more about how to protect your eyes from the most powerful light source we have—the Sun.

 Video

Watch this video  to see a simulation of what could happen to your eyes if you look at the Sun.

 Notebook: How can we protect our eyes from the Sun?

  1. Click here to download this activity.
  2. Complete the activity using the links provided (in the activity and below).
  3. Check your answers below.
  4. Save your corrected work to your Light Notebook.

Activity Links:

 Check Your Answers

What are some ways the Sun can harm your eyes?

It can cause

  • skin cancer on or around your eyes
  • blindness
  • cataracts

How can you protect your eyes from the Sun?

1. Wear sunglasses

2. Avoid staring at the Sun and seek shade during the hottest part of the day.

3. Wear a hat

Science Connection

Although it is never safe for us to look directly at the Sun, scientists have special telescopes designed for safe solar viewing.  NASA constructed something called the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to study and observe the Sun.  You can watch some of the amazing video taken by the SDO by Clicking here.