Sir Brian May, the renowned guitarist of Queen and astrophysicist, has issued a strong warning on how to safely observe the forthcoming partial solar eclipse. Appearing on BBC Newsnight, Sir Brian emphasised the importance of protecting one’s eyes during this rare celestial event.
This eclipse, anticipated to be the most remarkable since 1999, will see the setting sun almost entirely obscured across much of western Europe, including the UK, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and northern Italy. The phenomenon occurs as the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, casting its shadow on the Earth’s surface.
Authorities have warned the public against looking directly at the sun during the eclipse without specialist eyewear. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) has highlighted that regular sunglasses, even those very dark in tint, do not provide adequate protection. Furthermore, binoculars, telescopes, or cameras can inflict severe retinal damage unless fitted with appropriate solar filters.
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Sir Brian May advised viewers to exercise extreme caution: “Do not look at the sun with the naked eye, and definitely never use telescopes or binoculars pointing at the sun to avoid instant blindness. Unless you have proper equipment designed specifically for viewing solar eclipses, do not attempt to look directly.”
For safe observation, Sir Brian recommends a simple and effective method: “Make a small pinhole in a piece of cardboard and project the sun’s image onto a white sheet of paper. This allows you to watch the eclipse safely and enjoy it without risk.”
While England will only witness partial phases of the eclipse, Sir Brian noted the full eclipse, where the sun’s corona becomes visible, as a spectacular sight not to be missed at least once in a lifetime.
Medical experts explain that the retina, a delicate layer at the back of the eye responsible for processing images, can be permanently damaged by exposure to intense sunlight. The pigment under the retina absorbs the sun’s energy, which can cause harm without any accompanying pain, making the damage difficult to detect until symptoms develop.
Peter Smith from Taunton shared his experience after suffering retinal damage during the 1999 eclipse due to inadequate eye protection. Having used a borrowed welder’s mask, Mr Smith experienced flashing lights and headaches, symptoms pointing to retinal injury. He urged the public to use proper eye protection: “Make sure it has the right filters because any damage to your eyes won’t heal completely.”
Mohamed Elalfy, consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, advises that indirect observation methods, such as watching a live broadcast, are the safest way to enjoy the event. He warns that looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can harm the central vision cells in the retina, with symptoms appearing hours later, including blurred vision, dark spots, and distorted or reduced colour perception. While some recover, others may suffer permanent visual impairment.
The RCOphth emphasises that even when only a small portion of the sun is visible, enough radiation can reach the retina to cause damage. Anyone experiencing vision changes after viewing the eclipse is urged to seek immediate professional advice to prevent long-term harm.