So…in the event that The Great American Solar Eclipse is not cancelled or rescheduled, this epic event will take place on August, 21st, 2017. A solar eclipse is one of nature’s most breathtaking phenomena and occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking all or part of the sun. The last time we saw a total eclipse was in 1979, so this is definitely an event you won’t want to miss.
You’ve likely been told not to look directly into the sun…ever. The sun’s solar radiation can cause permanent damage to the retina. This becomes particularly important during an eclipse. You should never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection…even for a few minutes. The only safe way to view the eclipse (and look at the sun) is to wear special-purpose, solar-equipped glasses or hand-held viewers fitted with special solar filters.
Image: NASA
Courtesy of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, here are 7 tips for viewing the solar eclipse without damaging your eyes.
- Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. They are not strong enough to protect your eyes.
- To safely view a partial eclipse, wear official eclipse viewing glasses that meet International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 safety standards. A list of reputable vendors can be found here. Beware of fraudulent eclipse glasses that do not meet safety standards.
- If you wear regular eyeglasses, place the solar eclipse glasses on top of them.
- Supervise children using the special glasses to make sure they use them correctly. Adjust your child’s glasses to fit his or her face properly. If the glasses are too big, cut and tape them at the nose to make them smaller.
- Do not look at the eclipse through a camera, binoculars or telescope. This is important even if you are wearing eclipse glasses. The intense solar rays coming through these devices will damage the solar filter and your eyes.
- Use solar eclipse filters on camera lenses, binoculars and telescopes. Check the filter before the eclipse. If it is damaged or scratched, replace the filter.
- Use extra precaution, such as an indirect viewing method, if you are taking a medication that dilates your pupils – this reduces the time it takes to injure your eyes.
Image: American Astronomical Society
Resources:
Image: NASA
How to Safely Watch a Solar Eclipse
When and Where to See the Solar Eclipse (View an interactive map here)
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
Leave a Reply