Sir Brian May, renowned guitarist of Queen and astrophysicist, has provided crucial advice on how to safely observe the forthcoming partial solar eclipse. Speaking on BBC Newsnight, Sir Brian emphasised the importance of protecting one’s eyes during the event, which promises to be the most striking solar eclipse visible since 1999.
The eclipse will see the moon pass directly between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow over large parts of western Europe, including the UK, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and northern Italy. This will cause the sun’s light to be partially obscured, creating a captivating celestial spectacle.
Health professionals are urging the public not to look directly at the sun without specialised solar viewing equipment. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) warns that regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide sufficient protection. The use of binoculars, telescopes, or cameras without appropriate solar filters is equally dangerous and can cause severe damage to the retina.
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Sir Brian May cautioned: “You have to be really careful. Do not look at the sun with the naked eye, and definitely never look through telescopes or binoculars aimed at the sun, as you can permanently damage your eyesight in an instant. Unless you possess proper solar viewing equipment, it is unsafe to observe the eclipse directly.”
He recommended a safe and enjoyable alternative: “The best method is to make a pinhole in a piece of cardboard and project the sun’s image onto a white sheet of paper. This indirect viewing technique allows you to watch the eclipse safely and can be a lot of fun.”
While the UK will only witness the partial phases of the eclipse, Sir Brian expressed enthusiasm about coming to England to observe the eclipse’s final phase, known as the corona, which occurs when the sun is entirely covered by the moon. “It is a magical sight, and I recommend everyone tries to see it at least once in their lifetime,” he added.
The retina, a delicate layer of tissue at the back of the eye, can be severely harmed by looking directly at the sun. The underlying pigment absorbs the sun’s intense light, which can cause irreversible damage without any immediate sensation of pain.
Peter Smith from Taunton shared his personal experience of damaging his retinas during the 1999 eclipse after viewing it with a borrowed welder’s mask. He suffered from flashing lights in his vision and headaches the following day and continues to experience residual effects. Smith urges others to use proper eye protection to avoid long-term damage. “Make sure your equipment has the correct filters to prevent injury. Any damage to your eyes from the sun won’t heal like other wounds,” he advised.
RCOphth President, Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist, reinforced these warnings: “The safest way to experience the eclipse is through indirect observation or by watching a live broadcast. Looking directly at the sun can harm the retina, which contains the cells responsible for sharp central vision. Since the retina lacks pain receptors, damage can happen without immediate awareness.”
He explained that symptoms such as blurred vision, dark spots, distorted images, reduced colour perception, and sensitivity to light may only become apparent hours later. While some individuals recover over time, others may suffer permanent visual impairment.
The College also stresses that even a small visible part of the sun during the eclipse emits enough radiation to injure the retina. Anyone noticing visual changes after sun exposure should seek prompt medical advice from an eye care professional.