Solar Eclipse Safe Viewing Tips
We’ve put together a few tips to help you safely view the 2017 solar eclipse.
Get ready for the 2017 solar eclipse
On Monday, August 21, 2017, the United States will experience a solar eclipse. The last eclipse visible in the U.S. was in 1979 and the last coast-to-coast eclipse was in 1918. The moon will cover at least part of the sun for 2-3 hours. Anyone within a narrow path from Oregon to South Carolina will experience a brief total eclipse where the moon will completely block the sun for just under 3 minutes. The next total solar eclipse won’t be visible in the U.S. until April 8, 2024.
By following these simple tips, you can safely enjoy the amazing view and be rewarded with memories to last a lifetime.
- Use approved solar eclipse viewers. The only safe way to view a partially eclipsed sun is through special purpose solar filters that meet international standard ISO 12312-2 for safe viewing. Sunglasses, unfiltered telescopes and polarizing filters are unsafe.
- If you can’t find eclipse viewers, you can built your own pinhole projector to watch the eclipse.
- Cover your eyes with your eclipse viewers before looking at the sun. Glance at the sun, but turn away before removing your filter. Do not remove the filter while looking at the sun.
- Only people in the path of totality, and only when the moon completely blocks the sun, can eclipse viewers safely be removed to view totality. Once the sun begins reappearing, viewers must be replaced.
- If you should experience vision problems following the eclipse, visit your local doctor of optometry for a comprehensive eye examination.
DON’T look directly at the sun without eye protection, even briefly, except during total totality
DO consider purchase of specially made ‘eclipse glasses’ or other ISO-certified filters
DON’T use sunglasses, photographic film, neutral density filters, smoked glass or other materials
Make your own pinhole projector!
NASA has a great DIY project for making your own pinhole projector. This is the safest way to enjoy the eclipse!
This will be the first total solar eclipse to touch the U.S. mainland since 1979 and the first to cross from coast to coast since 1918.
The partial eclipse will last between two and three hours, and the total eclipse (within the path) will last just under three minutes.
The next total solar eclipse in the U.S. will occur on April 8, 2024.
Tens of millions of people will experience total eclipse, while hundreds of millions more will see the partial eclipse.
Sunglasses are not enough protection!
Normal sunglasses are not enough protection to safely view the eclipse. A special purpose solar filter is a must to prevent sight threatening damage to your eye. Eclipse viewing glasses have been specially designed to block the harmful rays your eyes might be exposed when watching an eclipse.
Village Eye Care, LLC
9606 271st Street NW
Stanwood, Washington 98292
Phone: 360-939-0604
FAX: 360-939-2268