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To all,

Let me ask another question.  Are there any anecdotal cases of eye damage
from sextants that anyone on the list can personally attest to?  I am not
talking about what someone thinks might or should happen, but something that
DID happen. I personally know of none, and a physician once told me that it
is not dangerous to look at the sun as long as you look away as soon as you
realize what is happening.  That is, don?t stare at the sun.
Notwithstanding this, I remember as a young boy engaging in macho activities
such a jumping off high ladders or roofs, holding breath for long periods,
and yes, staring at the sun.  I think we could only do it for a second or
two before turning away from the pain.  Yet later as I progressed into the
military and became a naval aviator, I was subjected to the most demanding
regimen of eye tests conceivable without the least bit of trouble.  To this
day, I have still had no eye problems.

My reason for bringing this up is that from time to time people will ask
about such things as UV certification of the sun shades, or other technical
questions about opacity which as far as I know no sextant manufacturer has
ever addressed, or published data concerning.  My answer to these people has
always been that sextants are not dangerous, and if you make a mistake
simply look away, and no harm will be done.

 I would certainly welcome other comments on this.

Ken Gebhart

   

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