A total solar eclipse, which is when the Moon completely covers
the Sun, will occur across 14 states in the continental U.S. on Aug 21, 2017.
Credits: NASA
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More than 300 million people in the United States potentially
could directly view the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse, and NASA wants everyone
who will witness this celestial phenomenon to do so safely.
That Monday, a partial eclipse will be visible in every state. A
total solar eclipse, which is when the Moon completely covers the Sun, will
occur across 14 states in the continental U.S. along a 70-mile-wide
(112-kilometer-wide) swath of the country.
It’s common sense not to stare directly at the Sun with your naked
eyes or risk damaging your vision, and that advice holds true for a partially
eclipsed Sun. But, only with special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse
glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can safely look directly at the
Sun.
NASA recommends that people who plan to view the eclipse should
check the safety authenticity of viewing glasses to ensure they meet basic
proper safety viewing standards.
Eclipse viewing glasses and handheld solar viewers should meet all
the following criteria:
· Have certification information
with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard
· Have the manufacturer’s name and
address printed somewhere on the product
· Not be used if they are older than
three years, or have scratched or wrinkled lenses
· Not use homemade filters, or be
substituted for ordinary sunglasses -- not even very dark ones -- because they
are not safe for looking directly at the Sun
“While NASA isn’t trying to be the eclipse safety glasses
‘police,’ it’s our duty to inform the public about safe ways to view what
should be a spectacular sky show for the entire continental United States,”
said Alex Young, associate director for science in the Heliophysics Science
Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “It’s
important that individuals take the responsibility to check they have the
proper solar eclipse viewing glasses. With the eclipse a month away today, it’s
prudent to practice ahead of time.”
An alternative method for safe viewing of the partially-eclipsed
Sun is with a pinhole projector. With this method, sunlight streams through a
small hole – such as a pencil hole in a piece of paper, or even the space
between your fingers – onto a makeshift screen, such as a piece of paper or the
ground. It’s important to only watch the screen, not the Sun. Never look at the
Sun through the pinhole -- it is not safe.
NASA has coordinated with medical and science professionals to
provide additional safety information. For details, visit:
More than 6,800 libraries across the U.S. are distributing
safety-certified glasses. Many are working with scientists to hold viewing events
and activities before and during the eclipse. For a listing of participating
libraries, visit:
NASA Television is offering a special live program, “Eclipse
Across America: Through the Eyes of NASA” with real-time coverage of the event
from coast to coast. The nearly four-hour program will include unprecedented
images of the Aug. 21 eclipse from numerous spacecraft -- including the
International Space Station – high-altitude aircraft and balloons, and ground
observations. Each will offer a unique vantage point for the eclipse.
Additionally, the broadcast will include live coverage of activities in parks,
libraries, stadiums, festivals and museums across the nation, and on social
media. To watch the Aug. 21 NASA TV eclipse broadcast online and access
interactive web content and views of the eclipse from these assets, visit: