[jobu]

> A bit OT but how did ancient civilizations know that they should NOT watch an eclipse with a naked eye?

Doesn't it hurt when you look at the sun? Any time I've ever accidentally glanced at the sun it's literally a blinding pain and my eyes just close reflexively.

It has never made sense to me when people say, "Don't stare at the sun". It's roughly the same as saying, "Don't stick your hand in the fire." Well duh, it hurts.

[MLR]

Back when I was a kid I used to stare at the sun fairly often, you look at it long enough and you get this sort of shimmering blueness over the bright area and it's no real issue to keep looking at it.

Used to do that during long car trips to pass the time, I don't have any issues with my sight as an adult but it's definitely a necessary warning.