UV when testing composition

[Sulphurstan]

I was recently wondering if repeatably staring at stars burn tests could harm the eyes, especially the metal fuelled stars?

Energy is weekening with square of the distance, and usually burn tests are stared at from, what? 2-3 meters, I'm thinking of the UV that hit the retina.

 

Is there some littérature outhere about it?

[OldMarine]

I still have a red fountain in my eyes that I lit earlier today so I'd imagine there is a possibility of damage.

[Sulphurstan]

Exactly these kind of symptoms made me write this first post! Edited September 16, 2018 by Sulphurstan

[NeighborJ]

A pair of clear safety glasses are adequate uv protection, you could still do damage to the rods and cones in your eyes from the magnitude of light output. If you are standing that close to a homemade device you should be wearing safety glasses.

[Arthur]

If you are close then there will be some UV, but there is (IMO) also a fragmentation risk, bits can and will fly off fireworks. Also you should make tests at about the range that your intended spectators will be, if it's too bright or too close then most stars don't look their best.

[Sulphurstan]

Arthur, yes perfectly right, viewing distance should be respected during the tests to make things comparable.

. But fact is that my tests area is restricted to a few square meter in my backyard, where my nice neighborhood cannot see too much what I'm doing...

I wish I could test in the field, 100 m away 💔, for pleasure and for an accurate scientific approach... In another life or another place....

[Mumbles]

If you are testing stars closeup, you will get a much better representation of color in the sky at the expected display height by looking at reflected light. Being too close will effectively oversaturate your eyes. I piece of paper on a tree or post will work just fine.

[OldMarine]

When I set strobe pots to reflect on a smoke cloud I put plywood squares on the side facing the crowd to insure no one gets blinded and can see the effect. I test stars the same way on the ground with the light reflecting off the vinyl siding of the house.

[Sulphurstan]

Reflected light..... That sounds clever! Definitely test this!

[Sulphurstan]

Wikipedia: polycarbonate glasses should do the job!