'Potential dangers' of the upcoming solar eclipse flagged

Western Australia will play host to a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse in less than a week, with tens of thousands of people expected to turn out for the spectacular event.

The sun will completely disappear behind the moon over Ningaloo, 1200 kilometres north of Perth, on April 20 at 11:29am AWST - making it the first for the state since 1974.

Ahead of the big event, optometrists have warned people not to look at the sun as it can cause serious and permanent damage to the eyes.

READ MORE: How to see the rare solar eclipse on April 20

"Just think about how the lens in a magnifying glass can be used to focus sunlight to start a fire, the lens inside our eyes is many times more powerful than a magnifying glass," Optometry Australia's Luke Arundel said.

"We want to ensure people don't permanently damage their retina – the very delicate, light sensitive layer at the back of the eye.

"While it generates natural curiosity to have such a rare phenomenon coming up next week, it is important for people to understand the potential dangers that can come from looking directly at the sun."

Arundel said it is especially important for children to be protected as they are likely to be less aware of the dangers.

"Their young eyes are particularly vulnerable to damage," he said.

The Astronomical Society of Australia suggests watching the eclipse and partial eclipse in two safe ways:

• Using special-purpose 'eclipse glasses' or hand-held solar viewers with solar filters that meet the international standard
• Using pinhole projection through a large card with a two-millimetre hole in the centre to project an image of the Sun onto another surface held about a metre away.

You can purchase solar-safe glasses online. They must meet the international ISO 12312 2 standard requirements to be considered safe.

You can find out more about the requirements here

There will also be a solar show for those in Perth, when the sun will be covered by the moon in 70 per cent totality from 11.20am.

All other states across the country will experience a partial eclipse at 1:29pm (AEST), with the next full solar eclipse for Australia's eastern states coming up in 2028.

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