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Posted by: zymurgist Jun 5 2012, 03:26 PM

Specifically, is an electronic welding helmet safe to look at the sun?

Posted by: Katmanken Jun 5 2012, 03:51 PM

Short answer, I wouldn't try it.

Take a cardboard box, put a pinhole in it (aka pinhole camera), and aim the hole at the sun. Put a sheet of white paper below the hole so that the sunlight beam coming through the hole shines on the paper. Move the the sheet of paper farther away from or closer to the hole to set the image size. Enjoy the view. No danger in doing that.

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Jun 5 2012, 03:57 PM

I have always used 3-4 layers of exposed film taped to the end of a small set of binoculars! The welding helmet was not dark enough (at least mine) to completly cut through the glare and you would not be able to see the dot of Venus!

Posted by: Rand Jun 5 2012, 03:59 PM

Lenses are rated. If I recall, 12 is safe. But that's full solar. If it seems bright, then don't. Pretty simple really.

If you look, then look away, then see remnants.... You are DOOMED. Doomed I say.

Posted by: Rand Jun 5 2012, 04:01 PM

After the recent full on eclipse, you might as well watch this one with a pinhole shoebox. Meh.

Posted by: zymurgist Jun 5 2012, 04:07 PM

No eclipse for east coasters.

When we are lucky enough to get one, it's usually cloudy.

Posted by: r3dplanet Jun 5 2012, 04:42 PM

Twelve is still a little unsafe. You can use #14 welding goggles (rare) or buy solar-certified specs prior. The exposed film trick works also. I'm looking at it now with both #14 goggles and solar-certified specs and even the #14s are hurting a little.

Posted by: Steve Jun 5 2012, 04:52 PM

My kids bought cheap special cardboad framed glasses from amazon. Work great. We are watching the eclipse now.

Posted by: '73-914kid Jun 5 2012, 04:52 PM

Most dedicated welding stores sell #14 masks if you can find a store nearby. The problem is, most are still out of stock from the recent solar eclipse.. #14 are fine for the quick glance at the sun I'd say.

Posted by: SLITS Jun 5 2012, 05:13 PM

I used my Harbor Freight Shield ... worked great. Shiny disk, black dot. I am not going to stand there and watch all 6 hours / 40 mins of transit time.

Now that the thrill is over I guess I'll go back to my totally dull life.

Oh, the auto-darkening welding helmet didn't get dark enough.

Posted by: mrbubblehead Jun 5 2012, 05:17 PM

mine wouldnt turn on. i had to use my old school regular lens.... its pretty cool to see another planet.

Posted by: SirAndy Jun 5 2012, 05:26 PM

Did just that, you can even see some sunspots!

Posted by: SirAndy Jun 5 2012, 05:29 PM

Adjusted for the weird camera angle ...




Attached image(s)

Posted by: SLITS Jun 5 2012, 05:30 PM

And if you are lazy like me, use this link:

http://events.slooh.com/

and use the University of New Mexico feed ............

Posted by: andys Jun 6 2012, 09:50 AM

+1 My auto-darkening one didn't work. Old school yes.

Andys

Posted by: 76-914 Jun 6 2012, 12:09 PM

I watched the last eclipse thru a Lay's Chip bag (mylar). A party balloon (the silver foil type, also Mylar) works, also.

Posted by: Racer Chris Jun 6 2012, 01:16 PM

Simple answer - yes. Auto darkening helmets provide full UV protection even in the light state.
The only problem if the lens isn't dark enough or doesn't switch to the dark state, is your eyes will get tired of the brightness quickly. There are no lasting negative effects.

Posted by: Rand Jun 6 2012, 04:05 PM

Woah. Depends on the darkening level. My "electronic welding helmet" rocks, but....
You have to adjust the darkening level with a knob. And even at full dark, some critics will still give you grief. Mine was fine.

Like I said before, can you look at it without it seeming too bright, then look away with no artifacts??
There's no substitute for common sense.

Thought I'd share this for fun....

http://gizmodo.com/5916350/this-amazing-space-image-just-won-the-internet?utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_facebook&utm_source=gizmodo_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Posted by: zymurgist Jun 6 2012, 05:41 PM

It was cloudy here.

Posted by: Racer Chris Jun 6 2012, 06:07 PM

I used to have an auto darkening lens that was real touchy. It would switch if there was an incandescent bulb nearby. And I know it switched when aimed at the sun. I guess I don't have that lens anymore though.
All arc welding lenses provide 100% protection from UV, including auto darkening lenses regardless of their darkness level. An electric arc is obviously brighter than the sun if the sun won't even make an a/d lens switch to dark.
Just for hahas, today I tried looking at the sun with my auto darkening helmet.
It wouldn't switch to dark state so I couldn't really look at the sun directly.
But I did anyway... it was too bright...I had to look away after only a few seconds. There was a distinct, but not too bright, afterglow in my eyes for a few seconds but there were no lasting effects.

Posted by: Richard Casto Jun 7 2012, 08:44 AM

I was out watching it with my kids (regular welding mask + binoculars worked great) on the front lawn and a guy walking his dogs came by and said "you know you can just watch that on TV". I wanted to say... "you know you can just buy stuffed animals, no need for real ones".

Whats wrong with using my own eyes to see the real thing. Watching it later is what YouTube is for!

Richard

Posted by: zymurgist Jun 7 2012, 08:49 AM

For those who missed it... this is spectacular.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/nasa-provides-rare-images-transit-venus-144840865.html