Solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will take place just before 11.30am on 20 April 2023 in the Ningaloo region of Western Australia. The eclipse will last for 62 seconds.

A partial solar eclipse may be visible from other parts of Western Australia between 10 am and 2 pm.

How to safely view the solar eclipse

It is important to understand the risks associated and prepare to safely view the eclipse.

The only way to guarantee that you do not get eye damage is by viewing the eclipse indirectly.

Indirect methods include:

• projecting an image of the sun onto a surface, such as using a pinhole viewer, or
• watch the live stream from Yagan Square in Perth or online via the Gingin Observatory (external site).

Viewing a full or partial solar eclipse directly, including with the use of visual protection, can cause eye damage or permanent loss of vision.

Travelling to Exmouth

Plan ahead if you’re travelling in Western Australia to experience the total solar eclipse and take precautions to look after your health while you’re on the road and away from home.

• Be prepared – pack ample supplies of water, non-perishable food, medication, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and first aid supplies. Carry extra water and food in case of vehicle breakdown or lack of supplies in remote areas.
• Protect yourself against heat stress – drink plenty of water, limit time outdoors, and understand the signs of heat stress.
• Be SunSmart – wear light protective clothing, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, and seek shade.
• Protect yourself from mosquitoes – wear long, loose fitting, light coloured clothing; apply an effective mosquito repellent and use a mosquito net where appropriate.
• Get first aid ready – find out about first aid for bites and stings, first aid for sprains and strains and learn more about free online first aid courses run by St John (external site)
• Take care in and around the water – follow water safety signs, and before entering the water, be aware of the local water environment and weather conditions.
• Be COVID-safe – pack rapid antigen tests, face masks and pain relief.
• Drive safely – don’t drive tired, do take regular breaks and follow all road rules. In case of breakdown in remote areas, always remain with your vehicle.

Healthcare in Exmouth and surrounding areas

Take note of first aid areas and where to access healthcare in Exmouth and surrounding areas:

• Coral Bay Nursing Post, 67 Robinson Street, Coral Bay, (08) 9942 6100
• Exmouth Hospital, Lyon Street, Exmouth, (08) 9949 3666
• Carnarvon Hospital, 20 Cleaver Street, Carnarvon, (08) 9941 0555
• Onslow Hospital, Second Avenue, Onslow, (08) 9184 3200

In an emergency, call 000 for an ambulance.

You should go to an emergency department if you have a serious or life-threatening condition.

See other health care options.

The Department of Health and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) (external site) do not recommend direct viewing of the eclipse.

Eclipse glasses

The Department of Health does not recommend viewing an eclipse directly, including using eclipse glasses and equipment with specific solar filters because:

• their quality cannot be guaranteed
• they may not block sufficient light
• they may have scratches, cracks or pin hole defects
• they frequently do not fit the face well and the gaps enable light to reach the eyes.

If you choose to use solar eclipse glasses in spite of the risks

• Check that your glasses are marked with and meet ISO-12312-2020 certification.
• Purchase your solar filters from a reputable retailer to ensure they are not counterfeits.
• Check your eclipse glasses for damage before use. If they have scratches, tears, cracks or pin holes in the lenses, do not use them. Follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the glasses.
• Check that your certified eclipse glasses or shades fit the face properly and cover both eyes completely, without letting light in through any gaps. If they don’t, do not use them.
• If you normally wear prescription glasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses over them.
• Do not use eclipse glasses with other optical devices, such as a camera lens, telescope or binoculars - the concentrated solar rays will cause serious injury.
• If you choose to use certified eclipse glasses, place them on before looking at the eclipse and remove them after you have turned away from the eclipse. Do not remove your eclipse glasses while looking at the sun.

Children

• Supervise children during the eclipse to ensure they do not look directly at the sun.
• If using eclipse glasses, ensure they fit the child’s face properly and cover both eyes completely, without letting light in through any gaps. If they don’t, do not use them.
• Ensure children use the glasses correctly and do not look at the sun around the filter.
• Ensure children do not remove or let the glasses slip or fall off in the excitement.

Cleaning eclipse glasses

• Manufacturers of hard plastic eclipse glasses often supply a microfibre pouch to wipe the lenses clean. You can also use any soft, nonabrasive tissue or cloth.
• Not all wet wipes are suitable for cleaning eclipse glasses.
• Do not use water, glass cleaner, or any other solvents or liquids to clean cardboard eclipse glasses.
• Keep cardboard eclipse glasses dry. If the cardboard gets wet, it will swell and likely detach from the lenses.

Mobile phones and cameras

Caution should be taken if viewing the eclipse through your mobile device to ensure that you are not looking directly at the sun by mistake, especially as your phone may not cover the sun entirely. There is also a risk of damaging your camera or screen.

Sunglasses, x-ray film and welding shields