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Solar Eclipse Selfies Could Cause Blindness Experts Warn

Taking Selfies During The Solar Eclipse Could Cause Blindness
Sara C Nelson
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Experts have warned that looking directly into the sun during Friday’s solar eclipse could cause blindness.

Radiation emitted by the sun is so powerful it may cause solar burns of the retina, the College of Optometrists explains.

And the risk is just as high for those taking pictures – including selfies - of the eclipse.

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Taking selfies during the solar eclipse could cause blindness, experts have warned

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, a clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists said: “The College advises against taking photos of the eclipse and this includes taking selfies.

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“Taking a selfie could potentially put you at risk as you may end up accidentally looking directly at the sun while aligning yourself and your phone. However viewing a video or photo of the eclipse on a phone screen would not be harmful.

“The safest way to view the eclipse is indirectly, for example on TV.”

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You will need a pair of Solar Eclipse Glasses to view the eclipse without injury

The College also warns against looking at the eclipse even with sunglasses as they are not enough to avoid injury.

You are also putting your sight at risk if you view it directly through a telescope, binoculars or camera.

Speaking to the BBC, Hardiman-McCartney added: “In 1999, when there was the last major eclipse, no-one really had smartphones or took selfies.

Total Solar Eclipse 2012
Solar Eclipse Above Clouds(01 of43)
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(credit:Jay Pasachoff, Caltech, Williams College)
Solar Eclipse From A Helicopter(02 of43)
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(credit:Jay Pasachoff, Caltech, Williams College)
Solar Eclipse From A Helicopter(03 of43)
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(credit:Jay Pasachoff, Caltech, Williams College)
Slowly Coming To An End(04 of43)
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(credit:Panasonic Eclipse Live)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(05 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: A spectator views the solar eclipse on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(06 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Near totality is seen during the solar eclipse at Palm Cove on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Eclipse-Viewing Gear(07 of43)
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(credit:Twitter)
Eclipse Continues In Cairns, Australia(08 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(09 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Totality is seen during the solar eclipse at Palm Cove on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Couple Gets Engaged During Eclipse(10 of43)
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(credit:Panasonic Eclipse Live)
Eclipse Reaches Totality(11 of43)
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(credit:Panasonic Eclipse Live)
AUSTRALIA-ASTRONOMY-ECLIPSE(12 of43)
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The Diamond Ring effect is shown following totality of the solar eclipse at Palm Cove in Australia's Tropical North Queensland on November 14, 2012. Eclipse-hunters have flocked to Queensland's tropical northeast to watch the region's first total solar eclipse in 1,300 years on November 14, which occurred as the moon passed between the earth and the sun, casting a shadow path on the globe and lasting for a maximum on the Australian mainland of 2 minutes and 5 seconds. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Over Miallo, Queensland, Australia(13 of43)
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(credit:Jay Pasachoff, Caltech and Williams College)
Solar Eclipse Over Cairns, Australia Nears Totality(14 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Starting To Get Good(15 of43)
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(credit:Panasonic Eclipse Live)
First Contact(16 of43)
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(credit:Twitter)
Eclipse Continues Over Great Barrier Reef, Australia(17 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(18 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: A young boy gets ready to view the solar eclipse with his telescope on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(19 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: A spectator views the solar eclipse through a telescope on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To Cairns, Australia(20 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To Four Mile Beach(21 of43)
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(credit:Twitter)
Eclipse Begins Over Great Barrier Reef, Australia(22 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Crowds Get A Glimpse Of The Sun In Cairns, Australia(23 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Clouds Block The Sun In Cairns, Australia(24 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To Cairns, Australia(25 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To Cairns, Australia(26 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(27 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Terry Cuttle sets up telescopic cameras and computer equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(28 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: A general view of seats set up over-looking the ocean to watch the total solar eclipse are seen on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(29 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(30 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Terry Cuttle demonstates the use of eclipse shades at a press conference at the Reef House resort in preparation for people to watch the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(31 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: A telescopic camera is seen on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(32 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Walkers pass as telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(33 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(34 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Signage is seen for solar eclipse viewing glasses in preparation for people to watch the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(35 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Runners pass as telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(36 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Jonathan Bradshaw and Terry Cuttle set up telescopic cameras and computer equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(37 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(38 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Pairs of eclipse shades are seen in preparation for people to watch the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(39 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: A USA sticker is seen on telescopic camera equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(40 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: A general view of people who have reserved a spot to view the total solar eclipse is seen on Palm Cove beach on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(41 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic equipment is seen on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(42 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(43 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Terry Cuttle sets up telescopic cameras and computer equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

"This could potentially be very dangerous because people might be tempted to look at the sun as they try to get the perfect shot or clip.

"And as the eclipse is a relatively slow process, people might end up accidentally looking at the Sun for minutes."

One way of viewing the eclipse is using a pinhole projection method, which involves putting a hole in a piece of cardboard, holding the cardboard up – with your back to the sun – so that an image of the sun is projected onto another piece of paper or card.

Another way of safely viewing the solar eclipse is to buy a pair of Solar Eclipse Glasses. Similar to 3D glasses, eclipse viewers are made from card and inlaid with a special material that cuts the Sun's light down 100,000 times. If using a viewer, check for holes or scratches as it is only safe if undamaged.

Eclipse viewers are being given away free with the Society for Popular Astronomy's members' magazine and the BBC's Sky at Night magazine. Here are some places with glasses still in stock. Ebay is another - though you may end up paying silly prices for them.

What is a total solar eclipse?

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