Solar eclipse on 12 August: how to view it safely

On 12 August, a partial solar eclipse, with around 90% of the Sun obscured, will be visible in Luxembourg. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. The eclipse will begin at around 7.20 pm.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Health and Social Security would like to remind the public of the precautions to follow when viewing the eclipse:

• Never look directly at the Sun without appropriate protection, even if a large part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon or the sky is overcast.
• Only use solar viewing glasses that comply with the international ISO 12312-2 standard and come from a reputable manufacturer. The glasses must not be creased, scratched or punctured. Check that they are undamaged before use: hold the glasses in front of a bright light source, such as a lamp. If light passes through the filter or you can see pinpoints of light, the filter is damaged. Glasses that are not in perfect condition must not be used.
• Solar viewing glasses must be worn throughout the eclipse and must fully cover the eyes and eyelids.
• Do not use ordinary sunglasses, even category 4 or polarised sunglasses, as they do not sufficiently filter the Sun's invisible radiation. Even very dark sunglasses or 3D glasses are dangerous for the eyes and can cause irreversible retinal damage.
• Do not look at the eclipse through a camera, binoculars or a telescope, even while wearing solar viewing glasses. The rays concentrated by these optical devices can cause serious eye injuries.
• Remember to protect yourself from the Sun by wearing a cap or hat and using sunscreen, and make sure you stay well hydrated.

It is strongly recommended that anyone likely to remove their eye protection spontaneously should not view the eclipse. Adults responsible for children (parents, educators, accompanying adults, etc.) should take particular care to ensure that children are properly protected.

It is important to remember that viewing an eclipse without appropriate protection can cause irreversible burns to the retina. Such damage is painless but can result in reduced vision, the appearance of a black or grey spot or a blurred area in the centre of the field of vision, distorted vision, or changes in the perception of colours or contrasts. Some of these effects may improve over time, but permanent visual impairment may remain.

Press release by the Ministry of Health and Social Security