ATTENTION ST. GABRIEL FAMILIES:

Please note that the Professional Activity (PA) Day, initially set for April 19, 2024, has been rescheduled to April 8, 2024. This adjustment is to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff due to the Total Solar Eclipse expected on April 8, 2024.

It is important to remember that directly observing the Sun can lead to severe eye injuries, particularly during a solar eclipse.

For safe observation of a solar eclipse, it’s essential to use eye protection specifically designed for this purpose (conforming to the ISO 12312-2 standard). Regular sunglasses do not offer adequate protection for your eyes. Moreover, attempting to view any phase of a solar eclipse through the camera of a smartphone, a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without attaching a special solar filter to the front of the device can result in significant eye damage.

Total Solar Eclipse Safety Tips

A total solar eclipse is a rare and exciting natural phenomenon. However, it is crucial to view it safely to prevent any damage to the eyes. Here are some tips for safely experiencing the solar eclipse:

  1. Use Proper Eclipse Glasses: Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for viewing the sun. Special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers, must be used. Ensure they meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
  2. Adult Supervision for Children: Ensure that children are supervised when using solar filters or eclipse glasses. Teach them the importance of not removing the glasses while looking at the sun.
  3. Alternative Methods: For those who do not have eclipse glasses, using a pinhole projector is a safe way to view a projection of the eclipse. This can be a fun and educational activity to do with children.
  4. Avoid Unsafe Methods: Do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays can damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.
  5. Check the Weather: If it is cloudy, you may not be able to see the eclipse. Use online resources to watch it live if the weather does not permit outdoor viewing.
  6. View it Safely via Livestream: The eclipse can be viewed via live stream broadcast through the NASA Exploratorium.

We hope these tips are helpful for you and your family to safely experience this spectacular event. For more safety tips and information, please visit https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/solar-eclipse-safety.