Partial Eclipse: Dont Attempt To Look With Normal Shades

A member of the African Astronomical Society, Prof Emmanuel Amamoo-Otchere, has advised Ghanaians who would want to use their old eclipse shades to examine it before use. According to him, if there are scratches on it, the effect of the rays can affect the eye when used. This admonition is in connection to the partial hybrid solar eclipse which will occur this weekend. Ghana and other parts of West Africa will on November 3, experience a partial eclipse where about 80 to 85 percent of the Sun�s face would be covered by the Moon. The only way to watch this natural phenomenon is by the use of the eclipse shades. Prof Amamoo-Otchere who is also a former Executive Director, Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Service, University of Ghana said in an interview on PEACE FM that Ghanaians should not attempt to look at the eclipse with other normal shades since that can affect the eye. �Even those with the old shades must examine it. When they are using the eclipse shades and the colour of the sun is not amber, yellow or orange they should avoid using it because it can affect their eyes. Sun shades cannot also be used,� he indicated. Prof Amamoo-Otchere also indicated that the next partial eclipse will occur in 2027 and then in 2034, there will be a total eclipse just like what occurred in 2006.