Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Sight charity warns of the dangers of viewing forthcoming solar eclipse (3 October 2005)

Eclipse viewers risk their sight

The Eyecare Trust today (28 September 2005) issued a public health warning about the dangers of looking at the Sun with unprotected eyes during next week's solar eclipse.

On Monday 3 October the UK will witness a partial solar eclipse as the Moon passes over the face of the Sun. Observers in Spain, Portugal and North and East Africa will have the best view of the annular eclipse however, people across the UK will - cloud cover permitting! - see a partial eclipse of between 44% (Aberdeen) and 64% (Plymouth).

In optimum weather conditions the annular eclipse will be a spectacular sight, however, unprotected viewing could result in 'eclipse retinopathy' - macular damage induced by a photochemical process. Dozens of people were diagnosed with this condition after viewing the last eclipse visible from the UK in 2003 and a number of these now have seriously impaired vision.

Don't miss the sight, but do not risk your sight either. Follow the Eyecare Trust's tips for safe
viewing . . . .

Eye protection is ESSENTIAL if you plan to view the eclipse. Serious and permanent damage with a real risk of blindness can occur if you look at the sun with the naked eye, or through a camera or telescope, and children are especially at risk.

“The only completely safe way to watch the solar eclipse is with 'indirect projection',” said Eyecare Trust chairman Iain Anderson. “You can do this using a simple homemade pinhole card.”

Just take a piece of stiff card and pierce it with a pin. Stand with your back to the Sun, and hold the card up. Then, carefully adjust the angle of the card until an image of the Sun is projected. You can project the image onto the ground, a wall or a second piece of card.

It is possible to purchase special solar filters, although it is vital to ensure that any filter you use is specifically made for solar observation and that it is not scratched or damaged. NEVER look directly at the sun through sunglasses, pieces of darkened photographic film, compact discs or smoked glass. Hold the special filter firmly over both your eyes BEFORE looking up at the Sun, and do not remove it until AFTER looking away. The Sun should look quite dim and the sky should be completely black - if this is not the case then DO NOT USE THE FILTER.

If you are in any doubt about eye safety you can watch the eclipse on one of the many live webcasts being broadcast from countries along the path of the eclipse.

For more info about caring for your eyes or a downloadable guide to viewing the eclipse please log on to www.eyecare-trust.org.uk.

-ends-

For more info please contact:
Rachel Spackman, Eyecare Trust Press Office T. 01225 423394, E. pr@eyecare-trust.org.uk


Notes to Editors

What is an annular eclipse?
An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is further away from the Sun than normal and the Moon's shadow is not large enough to cover the Sun leaving a bright ring of sunlight (annulus) around the lunar silhouette.

Viewing timetable for the annular eclipse on Monday 3 October

Location Start time Maximum End Obscurity
Aberdeen 08:55:17 10:02:03 11:12:37 44%
Belfast 08:49:13 09:58:15 11:11:56 54%
Birmingham 08:48:55 10:00:08 11:16:31 56%
Bristol 08:47:15 09:59:15 11:16:31 60%
Cardiff 08:46:54 09:58:48 11:15:58 60%
London 08:48:52 10:01:07 11:18:26 57%
Manchester 08:49:54 10:00:12 11:15:13 53%
Norwich 08:51:15 10:02:34 11:18:34 52%
Portsmouth 08:47:30 10:00:14 11:18:16 60%

Timings calculated by Fred Espenak (NASA/GSFC) for a more detailed list of timings for locations across the UK please log on to the Eyecare Trust website www.eyecare-trust.org.uk


The Eyecare Trust
The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to raise awareness of all aspects of ocular health and the importance of regular eyecare.