How to safely watch the solar eclipse in Montreal today

Aug 21 2017, 10:26 pm

A total solar eclipse will be viewable from North America today for the first time in nearly 100 years, but that’s no reason to lose your eyesight when catching a glimpse.

While the moon passes in front of the sun on August 21, we here in Montreal will only be able to see the eclipse with approximately 58% totality. That means the sun’s harsh rays will still be shining down on us the whole way through.

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Common sense refresher: staring directly into the sun is an easy way to make it the last thing you’ll ever see.

Luckily for would-be eclipse gazers, there are a few ways around the potentially harmful exposure, while still getting a view of the natural phenomenon—and no, we don’t mean wearing all the sunglasses you own at once, that would look ridiculous, and you could still get seriously injured.

Eclipse glasses should comply with ISO standards if being used to look at the sun (Grisha Bruev/Shutterstock)

Eclipse glasses should comply with ISO12312-2 safety standards if being used to look at the sun (Grisha Bruev/Shutterstock)

There are special glasses you need to wear that are hundreds of times stronger than even the coolest of shades, called “eclipse glasses.” These can be found online, but realistically, if you haven’t already ordered by now, you’re not going to get these delivered to your eyes in time to save them.

NASA notes that glasses must comply with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard if you plan on staring directly at the eclipse. Beware of fake glasses – the internet is currently full of them.

Dr. Tej Dhaliwal, an optometrist at Image Optometry in South Vancouver, said in a message to Daily Hive that eclipses are extremely dangerous to view.

“Solar retinopathy is permanent vision loss, and it is possible after viewing an eclipse (as powerful as the one we’re about to experience) after mere seconds,” he said. “The damage doesn’t often show up immediately, it could occur within a few hours to several days after, but it is permanent.”

Though glasses can be worn to protect the eyes, Dr. Dhaliwal stressed that they have to be certified.

“If you absolutely must view the eclipse, you have to wear certified, approved, specific filtering lenses,” he said. “There are numerous ‘fake solar eclipse glasses’ out there, thus please confirm that yours meet the correct ISO standards and are from a reputable vendor.”

Another way to view the eclipse—if indirectly—is by making yourself a pinhole projector to view the shadow of the moon as it passes over the sun. All you’ll need is a few pieces of cardboard, and DIY instructions can be found here.

A DIY bow pinhole projector allows viewers to safely watch a solar eclipse (timeanddate.com)

A DIY box pinhole projector allows viewers to safely watch a solar eclipse (timeanddate.com)

Even if Montreal were in the path to receive a 100% total solar eclipse today, Dr. Dhaliwal said that even with the proper glasses the risk is still very great.

“Facing a lifetime of vision loss for only a few moments of pleasure and glory… absolutely not worth it,” he said. “Ultimately there is only one real way to view the solar eclipse, and that is not viewing it at all.”

He recommends enjoying the eclipse through photos, videos, and in experiencing the darkness take over the skies during the middle of the day.

“Be smart and don’t risk a lifetime of vision loss over a few seconds of pleasure.”

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