Solar eclipse: Here’s what was used to view the celestial event in 1927
- The UK is set to experience its fullest solar eclipse since 1999 on Wednesday, with over 90 per cent of the sun obscured by the moon.
- The Royal Society has released historical images of nearly 100-year-old ‘Eclipsia’ viewing glasses, along with photographic glass plates taken of a total solar eclipse in 1875.
- According to the society, the glasses came alongside a book of instructions and an Ordnance Survey map displaying the areas of totality in England.
- Experts have warned that standard sunglasses are insufficient to view Wednesday’s event, and only ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses should be used.
- Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, said: “Looking directly at the sun during a solar eclipse can cause damage to the retina, potentially damaging the cells responsible for sharp central vision.”
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