Solar Eclipse in Poland: Expert Warns of High Risk and Outlines Safe Observation Methods

A solar eclipse will occur on Wednesday, August 12, prompting European experts to warn the public against unprotected viewing due to the severe risk of permanent retinal damage.

Upcoming Solar Eclipse Visibility

The solar eclipse by the Moon will occur this coming Wednesday, August 12. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), it will become fully visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and a small area of northeastern Portugal. Residents of the rest of Europe, including Poland, will be able to observe a partial solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse is one of those rare moments when millions of people can simultaneously look up at the sky and feel both wonder and curiosity. It is a shared moment that connects us with the Universe and reminds us that the desire to discover and understand is one of humanity’s greatest strengths, commented US science director Prof. Carole Mundell.

Risks of Unprotected Viewing

Ph.D. Eng. Paweł Janowski from the Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków warned against viewing the phenomenon with the naked eye and recommended using appropriate filters if the eclipse is not total. Looking at the Sun without protection can lead to permanent retinal damage. This is just like using a magnifying glass to focus light directly onto your own eye, and the consequences can be irreversible, noted Dr. Eng. Janowski.

Solar eclipse observers have for years used CDs, smoked glass, sunglasses, and even photographic film. According to the expert, however, these do not provide sufficient protection. Additionally, people who use them will not feel their retina being damaged because there is no pain involved. Therefore, the risk is particularly high, explained Dr. Eng. Janowski.

Safe Observation Methods

A safe solution includes certified eclipse viewing glasses equipped with filters meeting the ISO 12312-2 standard. Binoculars or telescopes equipped with appropriate solar filters can also be used for this purpose. However, observing the phenomenon does not necessarily require making purchases. We do not even have to look directly at the Sun. We can project the image of the Sun onto a sheet of paper and observe the changing shape of the solar disc, informed the AGH expert.