The Quebec government’s recommendations regarding observing the total solar eclipse of April 8 have finally been posted online. Let us first note the inexplicably late nature of this announcement, which arrives just a few weeks before the event. However, public authorities have been informed for more than a year of the arrival of the phenomenon. This leaves decision-makers with little time to plan activities around this event in school service centers (CSS), daycares or residences for the elderly, among others.
Note also that, on the Quebec government website, this announcement is placed under the heading “Security and emergency situations”, nothing less. We add a layer by placing the information in the “Emergency situations, disasters and natural risks” section and the subsection “What to do before, during and after an emergency situation or disaster”. Let’s admit that, if the objective is to worry the population and “scare the world” with the solar eclipse, we couldn’t do better!
What exactly can we find on this information page?
First, a rather adequate description of the phenomenon (although, contrary to what is written there, the Sun does not darken during an eclipse, it is rather hidden by the Moon, which is not the same thing ). After a warning concerning the risks of burning the retina in the event of unsafe observation, indirect observation methods are presented and the famous eclipse glasses are described which alone allow direct and safe observation of the eclipse.
On this subject, moreover, it would have been useful, from a public health point of view, to add a warning concerning glasses sold online and whose approval cannot be verified. Caveat emptoras they say, but here the buyer is unfortunately left to his own devices…
Further, it is written: “People who choose to observe the eclipse directly should protect their eyes at all times » (the bold is in the text). This is false where the eclipse is total. You must actually protect your eyes as long as the Sun’s disk is not completely hidden by the Moon (partial phases preceding and following the total eclipse). But during the total eclipse, when the Moon’s disk completely obscures the Sun, eclipse glasses will no longer be of any use to you; in reality, you will no longer see anything through these glasses because they are so opaque!
On the contrary, it is the moment to take full advantage of the extraordinary spectacle that this eclipse offers us: appearance of the solar corona (which observation with the naked eye is absolutely safe), visibility of the planets Venus and Jupiter and stars in the darkened sky, drop in temperatures, increase in wind speed, etc.
As for knowing when to wear glasses again at the end of the total eclipse, the site unfortunately remains silent on this subject. The rule is however simple, and even a child can understand it and apply it: at the end of the totality phase, a first ray of light emanating from the Sun announces the return of the partial phases — and the time to put the glasses back on .
Don’t worry about this brief flash of light, which is without risk: you still need exposure to sunlight for a few seconds to cause damage to the retina. If you look away or put the glasses back on as soon as the Sun returns, there is absolutely no risk.
In parallel with this government announcement, the Ministry of Education also provided its guidelines regarding the eclipse of April 8. His first recommendation? Avoid outdoor activities for students in the afternoon that day, otherwise, move an educational day already planned on the calendar so that students do not go to school.
In other words, in the name of so-called child safety, school decision-makers are being asked to lock students in the classroom (and close the curtains, while we’re at it!) or, worse yet, confine them to home, where the risks of unsafe observation will potentially be higher than if they had been supervised by their teachers (who, remember, are education professionals trained after four years of a qualifying university course). As a mark of lack of confidence in the teaching staff of our schools, we cannot do better!
In 2017, a total solar eclipse crossed the United States from northwest to southeast and was observed by millions of people. How many retinal injuries were reported following this event? Absolutely none. A vast public information campaign made it possible to adequately inform the population and everyone was able to benefit from it in the best possible conditions.
In other words, we trusted the public. The same certainly cannot be said here, in Quebec, where government officials seem to believe that Quebecers are incapable of understanding simple and easy-to-apply instructions. Ditto the Ministry of Education, which does not seem to trust the teaching staff.
So, instead of making the eclipse of next April 8 an exceptional learning opportunity for the entire population, a celebration of science and our deep connections with the Universe, our leaders preferred to focus on it. wash their hands, no doubt following the advice of their lawyers.
How sad when darkness doesn’t only come from the sky!