odeliasimone: A telescope would burn the skin MUCH faster than a magnifying glass. If you put your hand in the right place to focus the sun on a spot, the pain would cause you to move your hand before too much damage occurred, but you’d have a lovely burn; second degree at least.
The Orion 8” scope beside me has the following sticker below the eyepiece:
”WARNING: Do not look at the sun through this telescope! Concentrated sunlight may cause serious eye injury.” It goes on to warn that children should not use the scope without adult supervision.
Actually, it one is foolish enough to put one’s eye to the eyepiece while a telescope is pointed at the sun, one’s eye will receive INSTANT damage.
Sorry; I don’t mean to rant, but you must take care of your eyes, and a telescope used improperly can be very harmful. Just look at the cartoon above, for instance. :)
Coyoty Premium Member over 13 years ago
The galaxy has a restraining order against us already.
alan.gurka over 13 years ago
He must be checking out Yenny in Puerto Rico.
cdward over 13 years ago
Why have all that technology if you can’t use it?
odeliasimone over 13 years ago
It is possible to see things up too close for comfort.
Does a telescope burn the skin like a magnifying glass would?
gosfreikempe over 13 years ago
odeliasimone: A telescope would burn the skin MUCH faster than a magnifying glass. If you put your hand in the right place to focus the sun on a spot, the pain would cause you to move your hand before too much damage occurred, but you’d have a lovely burn; second degree at least.
The Orion 8” scope beside me has the following sticker below the eyepiece: ”WARNING: Do not look at the sun through this telescope! Concentrated sunlight may cause serious eye injury.” It goes on to warn that children should not use the scope without adult supervision.
Actually, it one is foolish enough to put one’s eye to the eyepiece while a telescope is pointed at the sun, one’s eye will receive INSTANT damage.
Sorry; I don’t mean to rant, but you must take care of your eyes, and a telescope used improperly can be very harmful. Just look at the cartoon above, for instance. :)
gopuppy over 13 years ago
Hey Saskfan, my scope has the warning:
“Do not look at the sun through this telescope with remaining good eye!”
mrprongs over 13 years ago
Quit looking at Uranus.