Protecting your eyes during a Solar Eclipse

This is what the sun will look like in Dominica at the peak of the eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks the sun either completely or partially from our view.

On Monday, August 21, 2017 there will be a solar eclipse. In some places, it will be a total solar eclipse.

In Dominica, we will see a partial solar eclipse: Duration 2 hours and 27 minutes

Begins 2:46 pm.
Maximum at 3:44 pm
Ends 4:53 pm

It is an interesting experience that people will want to see. However looking directly at the sun even for a short time can damage your eyes.

It is known that sunlight focused with a magnifying glass can start a fire. The same occurs when the eye focuses the sunlight on the retina. The sunlight burns a spot on the retina. The damage to the retina is called solar retinopathy. This damage can be permanent and can result in blindness.

Advice from the American Academy of Ophthalmology:
“There is only one safe way to look directly at the sun, whether during an eclipse or not: through special-purpose solar filters. These solar filters are used in “eclipse glasses” or in hand-held solar viewers. They must meet a very specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2.
• Keep in mind that ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, or homemade filters are not safe for looking at the sun.
• Never look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other similar devices. This is important even if you are wearing eclipse glasses or holding a solar viewer at the same time. The intense solar rays coming through these devices will damage the solar filter and your eyes.
Steps to follow for safely watching a solar eclipse:
• Carefully look at your solar filter or eclipse glasses before using them. If you see any scratches or damage, do not use them.
• Always read and follow all directions that come with the solar filter or eclipse glasses. Help children to be sure they use handheld solar viewers and eclipse glasses correctly.
• Before looking up at the bright sun, stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter—do not remove it while looking at the sun.
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/solar-eclipse-eye-safety

Persons with eclipse glasses should look at the label to ensure that the ISO 12312-2 is printed on it. There may be fake eclipse glasses being sold to people.

Most people in Dominica will not have eclipse glasses. As a result, the following is advised:
KEEP CHILDREN INDOORS DURING THE DURATION OF THE PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.
DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN AT ANY TIME

We can still enjoy this memorable event in Dominica:

1. The solar eclipse can be viewed on television and online

2. The solar eclipse can be viewed indirectly through a pinhole viewer. A pinhole viewer lets you project an image of the sun onto another surface, like paper, a wall or pavement. The image of the sun is safe to look at throughout the eclipse. Again do not look directly at the sun!

Instructions on how to make a pinhole viewer can be obtained online.

3. American corner at the Roseau Public Library is inviting the public to join them to view the solar eclipse on Monday August 21, 2017 by 2.30pm. Free eclipse glasses will be provided.

Enjoy the solar eclipse but protect your eyesight!

Video below explains what a solar eclipse is.

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12 Comments

  1. Odin
    August 19, 2017

    26 February 1998 was the last total eclipse seen in Dominica, just after Carnival. The actual path of the eclipse was right through Guadeloupe so we got about 99% of the totality.

  2. Profet of doom
    August 19, 2017

    There are several things the public is advised NOT-TO-DO, it is almost like The Ten Commandments: don’t do this! don’t do that! but it never tells you what to do. I am here to say a few things one should observe: Unusual lottery numbers results, a change in weather patterns, world events and human behavior, especially, those of politicians and lunatics _as for the last mentioned, the reason is obvious_I might add that it applies to the day before or even days after this celestial performance.

  3. JOSH SHAW
    August 19, 2017

    So wait when the sun is out in it’s fullness we look at it and I am sure that is when it is at its highest brightness however when part of the sun is blocked out we cant look at it with our ‘naked’ eye? Yeah right dno with your crap you just put out!!!

    • D. John
      August 21, 2017

      What the hell are you talking about?

      Are you drunk?

      I read this article and nowhere did it say you can look at the sun with the naked eye, whether part of the sun is blocked or not.

  4. anonymous2
    August 19, 2017

    Heed the warning and protect your eyes. Having cataracts due to the damaging rays of the sun and going blind is not fun.

  5. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    August 18, 2017

    Wise advice and warning. I heard those glasses are all sold out in Toronto; no doubt in Canada. Some people were ahead of purchasing one or more.
    I hope I will be indoors when it occurs. I will view it on TV or On-Line.
    Just imagine it may get dark.

  6. August 18, 2017

    I would like to inform all of my Dominican people please to avoid being blind don’t look up to the sky for that moment it is not worth it , with the poor eye health care in Dominica at the present moment don’t do it , keep your eye to the ground it is not worth it .

  7. Jesus is coming soon
    August 18, 2017

    Acts 2:20

    The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood before that great and notable Day of the Lord come.

  8. Knowledgeable.
    August 18, 2017

    For those of you with smart phones download the app Solar eclipse sun glasses and you will be able to safely watch, hi video, or just take a photo of the eclipse.

  9. ????
    August 18, 2017

    Thanks DNO. I will just go outside and enjoy the darkness in the day

    • Gino
      August 20, 2017

      Are you serious

      • DA girl
        August 21, 2017

        :lol: :lol: :lol:

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