How to Check Out the Solar Eclipse on Thursday

Don’t look directly at it, please and thank you.

Last year, Australia was treated to a blood moon, and we’re in luck again with another out-of-this-world event.

This Thursday, a rare total solar eclipse will be in effect at 11.29am AWST for the first time in Western Australia since 1974.

Don’t panic if you’re not in WA – all the other states will get to witness a partial eclipse at the same time (1:29pm AEST).

But what is a solar eclipse?

According NASA, a total solar eclipse happens when ‘the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun’.

What makes this really cool is that people who are viewing the eclipse directly will be in the Moon’s shadow, so the sky will be incredibly dark.

Dan Holbrook from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation told 9News, “the closer to the centreline of totality, the more darkness you’re gonna get, and at this eclipse we are looking at 62 seconds of darkness at the centreline.”

So where’s the best place to be?

People are flocking to Exmouth in the Ningaloo region of Western Australia to experience the full totality, with the state government expecting 3000 visitors from around the world.

If you’re hoping to catch the eclipse in action – wherever you are – its incredibly important to take the right steps to protect your eyes.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a partial eclipse or not – there’s a risk of permanent eye damage if you look at it with the naked eye.

The official guidelines suggest to use a pinhole viewer, as it’s the safest technique to directly view the eclipse.

Image: Time and Date AS.

While there are ‘solar eclipse glasses’ you can get, it’s important that they comply with ‘applicable Australian or equivalent standards’ – your regular sunnies aren’t gonna cut it.

So set your alarms, assemble your pinhole viewers, and get ready to experience this eclipse right here in Aus on Thursday.