2 June 2004 - Don't Risk Blindness Looking at Venus on 8 June
On 8 June between approximately 6.00am and midday BST the planet Venus will cross the face of the Sun as seen from Earth for the first time since 1882.
The Government's Chief Medical Officer warned today that people could permanently damage their eyesight and even risk blindness if they look directly at Venus passing across the face of the Sun on June 8 as he offered eye- safe alternatives.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson commented:
"We want viewers of the first transit of Venus since 1882 to enjoy it safely. Children are particularly vulnerable as they will be tempted to take a peek - we must do all we can to protect their eyesight.
"Under no
circumstances should viewers look at this event directly. The
risks to sight from looking at the Sun are very real and could lead to
irreversible damage to eyesight and even blindness.
"The safest way to view the event is on the television or live webcasts on
the internet. Using a small telescope to project the event onto
a screen is safe but I must stress that observation directly through a
telescope, binoculars or camera is not safe, even just to line up the
projection. In addition sunglasses, and photographic film are
totally inadequate and should not be used to view the transit under any
circumstances."
Andrew Elliott from the The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, also commented:
"People may be tempted to take 'just one quick glimpse' through binoculars or a telescope so putting their sight at risk. But damage to the back of the eye can happen in an instant and once it has happened, there is no treatment."
Further information on the safe viewing of the transit is available from: www.transitofvenus.org/safety.htm
