Solar Week - Ask a Question

Hey, scientist people I was just wondering, cause I'm doing a report on Solar Eclipses, when do they happen. If you really look at it without protection will you go blind? And are Solar Eclipses or any kind of Eclipses a way for you to see the sun and stuff. Like doesn't it make it easier to see the sun, or something like that?  

Hi. You can see a list of past and predicted solar eclipses for this decade here:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SEcat/SEdecade2001.html
lower down on the page are links to lists for other decades.

It is never good to stare at the sun without protection, except during the total phase of a total solar eclipse.

During totality you can see the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona. There are pictures at the top of the web page I just listed.
The corona is very beautiful and also scientifically interesting.  Scientists go to total eclipse sites to test out instruments designed to observe the corona.

cheers,
Terry

I'll echo what Terry said: Never, ever look directly at the sun.

The internet is another way to view an eclipse -- there are webcams to view during eclipses.

Good wishes, Sallie