What’s deliberate for Wednesday August 12 ? Whether or not you might be on trip or at dwelling, we’ve got a little bit suggestion: watch thesolar eclipsewhich is able to happen simply earlier than sundown. It is not going to be complete in France however between 90 and greater than 99% – relying on the placement – of the photo voltaic disk will likely be masked by the Lune. A really spectacular occasion, but additionally extremely dangerous if you don’t put on glasses specifically designed to stop Soleil to burn your eyes.
“The principle threat is what we name eclipse blindness,” explains Philippe Stée, president of the Paris Observatory, throughout a press convention this Thursday on the upcoming eclipse. Within the absence of appropriate safety, the eyes will likely be uncovered to the Solar’s rays, which might severely burn the retina. “You’ll find yourself with a black gap within the retina which is not going to trigger ache in the mean time however which will likely be irreversible,” specifies the astronomer.
This phenomenon doesn’t solely happen throughout an eclipse. “What’s harmful is wanting on the Solar with out safety, each day of the yr,” explains Olivier Las Vergnas, president of the French Affiliation ofastronomy (AFA). The eclipse is subsequently not harmful in itself however it encourages us to have a look at the Solar, whereas we usually look away by intuition (and since it’s far too shiny to stare at it for a very long time).
Very particular glasses
We are able to subsequently solely observe the eclipse underneath one situation: to be protected by glasses, and never simply any glasses. Solely these complying with the worldwide customary ISO 12312-2: 2015 should be used. These filter 100% of ultraviolet and infrared rays and permit solely 20 thousandths of daylight to move by. “Another course of for observing the Solar is prohibited,” says Alain Cirou, venture supervisor. eclipse for the AFA.
Exit, subsequently, sun shades, survival blankets, movie negatives, medical x-rays, smoked lenses or every other display that you simply is likely to be tempted to make use of, as a result of these would let harmful rays by. Just one different piece of kit permits eclipses to be noticed safely: grade 14 or 16 welding masks, however these are troublesome to seek out and fairly costly.
Scarcity of glasses in sight?
If you wish to get glasses, it is best to take action now. On August 11, 1999, the date of the final complete eclipse seen in France, “we skilled an actual tsunami,” says Alain Cirou. “All of the gamers concerned had distributed 25 million pairs of glasses in France, and that was not sufficient, the previous few weeks had been loopy as a result of everybody wished to have this well-known tools. »
Particularly since astronomers concern that there aren’t sufficient pairs out there. “4 months earlier than the occasion, I’m fairly apprehensive and I believe that we’re heading straight in direction of a shortage glasses,” warns the eclipse venture supervisor for the AFA. “There may be nonetheless time to get up, however it’s beginning to be a little bit important,” he continues, including that the actors concerned had been presently “mobilizing the Ministry of Well being, the Normal Directorate of Well being, but additionally native actors, mayors, park managers, all those that welcome the general public and who might distribute or promote glasses at cheap costs”.
The place to seek out the Grail?
Within the meantime, you possibly can attempt to get some from totally different gamers, who typically promote them for between 1.50 and 4 euros. You should purchase them from native astronomy associations or golf equipment, astronomy shops or specialised web sites, all the time checking that they meet the ISO customary. Specialised magazines like Sky & Houserevealed by the AFA, additionally present them in particular points.
Some opticiansscientific establishments, places of work of tourism can even promote them, however not essentially. Glasses can also be supplied if you’re attending the eclipse as a part of an organized occasion. To restrict the scarcity or compensate for any problem find a pair: “No have to have one every, glasses are appropriate! », recollects Philippe Stée.
And for those who do not discover one between now and the eclipse, do not panic: you possibly can nonetheless watch the present, indirectly like with glasses however par projection. The best system, referred to as Pinhole, consists of constructing a small gap in a chunk of cardboard and projecting the picture of the Solar onto a flat floor positioned roughly 1 meter away. It’s also potential to make use of nature: “The bushes and leaves will venture a shadow on the bottom within the form of a crescent which is able to present the bias”, illustrates the president of the Paris Observatory. So satisfied? In any case, we all know what we’ll do on August 12 (if we handle to acquire the dear glasses).
