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this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2026
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Asklemmy
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Total solar eclipse. I've seen a few. There is something so strange about the omnipresent sun you have lived with your whole life suddenly be gone and there is a black space that you can look at with your eyes where the sky used to be and everything is dark like the night. On a human level I'd image it's the closest thing I'll get to seeing the Earth from space. Once you see it you will absolutely understand why older civilizations wouldn't shut up about it. We understand almost everything about when it will happen and what it is but the experience you can never understand. If you live less than 6-8 hours away from a place you can see a total eclipse do it. An eclipse with glasses is OK but it is a million times more impactful looking at total blackness where the sun once was with your own eyes.
Hmmm, it's certainly a million times more impactful on your retinas. Don't do this, never do this. Under no circumstances
Hmm, I looked it up because it seemed absurd and apparently when the eclipse is total, it's fine ?
Clarifications : https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety2.html
tldr : It's safe only during the span of time where the solar disk is entirely covered
Anyway to reply to your comment proper, I've seen one as a kid but it's too ancient to remember clearly. It was also right before I had my childhood fascination with the solar system so might not have fully appreciated it.
Ive seen two in the last decade. It’s surprisingly easy to know when it’s totality, and when it ends. Not only are there apps that do countdowns, but your eyes make it very clear if they’re disturbed by light or not.
Totality is incredible. A sight truly indescribable. A different color of white unimaginable, in a ring in the sky, animated like fire. I actually opened this comment section to come post this.
Yes. Lol. Total eclipse. Obviously never ever look at the eclipse until the sun is completely covered "totality". And even then have an alarm handy beforehand so you know when it will move out of the total eclipse phase.