Partial Solar Eclipse on March 20, 2015A partial solar eclipse will be visible in mainland France on March 20, 2014, from around 9:00 a.m. until approximately 12:00 p.m., depending on the location. In Toulouse, the eclipse will begin at 9:13 a.m. and reach its peak at 10:19 a.m.

Viewing a solar eclipse without proper protection can cause serious and irreversible eye damage. The damage can be of two types: - Corneal damage such as keratitis, primarily caused by ultraviolet radiation, which is painful but reversible within a few days.- Retinal damage, such as retinal burns, caused by the thermal effect of solar radiation and a photochemical effect on the particularly fragile retinal cells. This damage can permanently impair vision.

To observe the eclipse, it is essential to wear special protective glasses that are completely opaque to normal light (which can be purchased from opticians, specialty stores, or certain pharmacies). The filtering component of these glasses consists either of polyester films coated with a thin layer of aluminum or of black polymer films dyed throughout. These films are generally attached to cardboard frames and are for single use only, as the quality of the filter may degrade if the glasses are stored under poor conditions. During the eclipse, it is also advisable to limit observations of the sun to a few minutes and to take a break between observations to rest your eyes. Under no circumstances should the sun be observed using optical instruments (binoculars, cameras, etc.) or makeshift protective measures such as tinted glasses, X-ray film, or ordinary sunglasses, which provide very inadequate protection.