See the sun 10c (DD 71)

[Daniel van Eijmeren]

Barks's art-only "see the sun 10c" cover (DD 71) shows a rather 
dangerous scene, of the category "don't try this at home". Donald 
gets burned by the sun's rays as they pass through a telescope.
(http://www.seriesam.com/barks/dc_dd071_sm.jpg)

The main focus of the cover seems to be rear end humour. Donald's 
rear end is burned by the sun. But wouldn't the same thing happen 
if you pay 10 cents to put your EYES behind the telescope's lens, 
to have a detailed look at the sun? Looking into the sun *without* 
a telescope already damages the eyes, and will result in blindness. 
(A sun-protected telescope won't burn the eyes or the rear end, but 
then the cover's joke wouldn't work.)

Was this danger still unknown in the early 1960s? Is that likely?

In other instances, the editors asked Barks to change drawings 
because they showed scenes that kids might imitate. This seems 
such a drawing to me. Did the editor let this one slip through?
Or was there a general lack of knowlegde about the sun's danger 
at that time?

--- Daniël