06. Do we need to bring sunglasses as protection against ultraviolet rays? (A K2S Question)

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Sunglasses that protect against UV light are essential for astronauts and protect against visible light, which can also damage the eye. Astronauts should never look directly at the Sun as this may result in permanent damage to the vision-sensitive area in the eye, the retina. In space there is no atmosphere to help protect us from some of the damaging effects of the Sun's energy. When astronauts spacewalk, however, they put on reflective visors to protect the eyes when they are working in direct sunlight.

Answer provided by Dr. Jonathan B. Clark


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


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