Tahiti Eclipse

Looking straight at a solar eclipse without proper protection can cause irreparable damage to the retina. As indicated by the World Health Organization:

«The sun is an extremely intense source of light – both visible and invisible (infrared and ultraviolet). It is so intense that when sunlight shines on our skin we feel warmth although the sun is 150 million km away from us! The lens of the eye acts as a magnifying glass. It produces tiny images on the retina of what we are viewing, with a concentration factor of about 10 000. During direct viewing of the sun, for even a few seconds, the light entering the eye is concentrated to the point that it can burn the cells of the retina. The cells are destroyed beyond any hope of healing and that part of the retina becomes blind. Direct viewing of the sun and other extremely bright objects can also seriously damage the very sensitive part of the retina called the yellow spot, fovea or macula leutea. When the cells of the fovea are destroyed, people can no longer view fine details, particularly when light levels are low. While such blindness is not total, it represents a serious visual impairment making it impossible to read, sew, watch TV, recognise faces, drive a vehicle or do any task which requires recognition of fine details. »

How to witness a solar eclipse safely?

Using a pair of special glasses eclipse is the most common and best method. These glasses must meet the following requirement :

« … must display the CE (European Certification) label followed by the reference number and the certification office (in France, INRS : Institut National de la Recherche et de la Sécurité). It must also match 89/686/CEE law. »

In Tahiti, ask your local pharmacist.

Warning! The exposed photographic film or smoked glass offer no guarantee of protection to observe a solar eclipse. (https://apps.who.int/inf-fs/fr/am228.html)

If you own a telescope, do not use it without a proper filter.

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