[APML]: Dangerous eclipse viewing info on CNN web site

["Monroe Harden" <hardenm@sprynet.com>]

Ladies and gentlemen:
        Today I was greatly disturbed to see what looked like dangerously wrong
information on the CNN web site's "How to view the eclipse" page.  I don't
have the URL handy- follow the SciTech links to the eclipse link.  It
mentioned "exposed black and white film" without the restrictions mentioned
in the recent S&T article, and audio CD's (without regard for metallic
content) as safe viewers/filters for the partial phases of the eclipse.  

        Is this in fact unsafe?  Was the S&T article overly conservative?  I
believe S&T, and emailed CNN asking them to reconsider the info on this
page.  They did not reply.  If this is truly unsafe, maybe one or more of
you on the list with some clout in the community could have better luck
getting CNN to fix this before more people follow this advice.

        I'm cross posting this to the ASTRO and APML lists to maximize the
notification of this potentially unsafe situation.  I work for the Army
Safety Center, and take this stuff seriously!  If I'm wrong, I apologize to
all concerned.


Monroe Harden
Enterprise, AL