Why can you look at a sunrise or sunset for an extended period but can’t look at the sun in the middle of the sky for now than a second?

Question

Why can you look at a sunrise or sunset for an extended period but can’t look at the sun in the middle of the sky for now than a second?

In: 15

Answer 1

Technically you’re not supposed to look directly at the sunset or sunrise. The reason it’s less uncomfortable is that the light is passing through more of the atmosphere, scattering more light away from the disc.