Solar glare: the benefits and harms of an optical natural phenomenon

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

“Sun glare, dawns and fogs…” - these beautiful words of the song transfer thoughts to a summer meadow, where the dew plays rainbow, the sun's rays sparkle in the lake. In the morning, nature wakes up and thanks for the light and heat the main source of life - the Sun. We take its light and warmth for granted, and sunbeams on the water and in puddles can cheer up. How is sun glare produced? Do you know how useful solar "bunnies" are and why they are dangerous? Let's ask the experts.

Sunshine from space

An optical phenomenon, when sunlight reflects off the surface of water at the same angle as a sensor camera from a satellite or spacecraft looks at the same surface, causes the sun's glare to color the pond in unusual luminous hues. Currents and waves of reservoirs, which are constantly in motion, scatter the rays of the luminary in different directions, and photographs of the water surface turn out to be blurry chaotic bands of light. For some, this phenomenon causes difficulties, for example, oceanologists, to whom naughty sunbeamsmake it difficult to see the presence of phytoplankton and the real color of the ocean on satellite images. And there are scientists who "play" with the glare of the sun with pleasure.

Sunny bunnies in the service of man

Researchers of atmospheric phenomena and weather conditions are friends with such a phenomenon as sun glare. Photos of bodies of water with which the sun has “played” make it possible to reveal gravitational waves and atmospheric air circulation over the oceans, which are usually hidden from view. Blurry places in photographs from space, which created glare, allow you to learn about the places where the winds originate and their directions. Scientists have also benefited from this phenomenon. Sun glare reflected from spilled oil slicks on the water helps to pinpoint their location. This makes it possible to detect them regardless of their origin: natural or anthropogenic.

Be careful with the sun

Affectionate and kind sun can turn out to be evil and dangerous if you behave with him incorrectly. Much has already been said about how to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation, but a cheerful sun glare can be dangerous for the eyes. Acute burns of the cornea of the eye are often obtained when skiing, hang-gliding over a pond, surfing and just swimming in the bright sun. If you look at the sun at its zenith, you can get a retinal burn. The reflection of rays from water or a snow-white surface has a double effect, as a result, the eyes are very watery, there is a sharp pain, it happens that for some timeit's just impossible to watch. Everything passes quickly and is forgotten just as quickly. This is what causes sunburn. Constant such exposure gradually kills tissue, damages the retina and cornea, and leads to the development of cataracts.

Inhabitants of equatorial countries, especially those living near the sea, are especially prone to this phenomenon, eye damage is chronic in them. "Worn out" eyes are present here by the age of 30-35. Protect your eyes from glare with the right sunglasses.

Is it harmful to look at the sun? Helpful

At the same time, ophthalmologists actively use the method of photostimulation to revitalize the eye. It is based on the fact that the eye is affected by a directed beam of light. Sunlight works the same way, but bright and not too strong. The best time to contemplate the glare of the sun is sunrises and sunsets, when its light is not yet bright. Another way is to look at the sun with closed eyes. How does it work? Under the action of light, all processes in the retina and throughout the body are revived and accelerated: metabolism is accelerated, blood vessels expand, the work of nerve endings and the brain is activated.

People often like to look at the fire - this sight is mesmerizing and soothing. Another benefit of this activity is that the flickering and pulsing light acts on the eyes like a non-contact massage.

You need to know

Some scientifically proven facts to help maintain good vision:

• The most dangerous effect on the eyes of sun glare is not in summer, but in spring and autumn.
• The most unfavorable time for the eyes is from 10 am to 4 pm.
• Especially dangerous bright flicker for babies, and after all, few protect their eyes near the water. The kid is not always happy with glasses, he will be protected by a wide-brimmed panama. It is better for him to sunbathe and swim in the morning and in the evening.
• Admire the reflections on the water with glasses.
• The higher the place above sea level, the more dangerous the exposure of the bright sun to the eyes.