The solar eclipse is happening now in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Click the like atop to watch it live on The Consortium’s Facebook platform.
The last time an eclipse traveled across the entire U.S. was in 1918. But while the event that’s now unfolding is historic and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, be sure to protect your eyes.
Shield Your Eyes
According to The New York Times, if you’re planning to catch the eclipse — either in totality or even partially — in person, you’ll need a few things to view it safely. Even though an eclipse effectively turns day into night, never look directly at the sun.
Solar eclipses are especially dangerous. Not because of anything special about the light during the eclipse, but because the sudden changes in luminosity can cause retina damage before your eyes have a chance to adapt, or before you have an opportunity to look away.
Get Your Gear
So what should you use to watch the beauty safely? Many amateur eclipse-watchers may drag out a telescope, but in reality, telescopes are not ideal for eclipse-watching because of their narrow field of view. Binoculars however, can enhance the experience, especially if they have proper filters to protect your eyes. Your local Kmart stores should have the one-off binoculars priced reasonably for today’s eclipse.
Do It Yourself
A pinhole projector is another safe way of watching the eclipse, and you can make one yourself with two thin pieces of cardboard (or paper plates).
Here’s how:
- Put one piece of cardboard (or paper plate) on the ground.
- Poke a tiny, round hole into the other piece of cardboard.
- With your back facing the sun, raise the cardboard with the hole in above your head and aim the hole at the cardboard on the ground.
- The hole will project an image of the crescent shape of the eclipse.
Tags: solar eclipse
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