How to experience the total solar eclipse in April
Regular sunglasses and unfiltered views through telescopes or cameras could cause irreparable eye damage
Regular sunglasses and unfiltered views through telescopes or cameras could cause irreparable eye damage
Regular sunglasses and unfiltered views through telescopes or cameras could cause irreparable eye damage
It’s been dubbed the Great North American Eclipse. The next total solar eclipse happens on April 8.
Approximately 32 million people across 13 states live along the path of totality. And that doesn’t include the thousands who will flock to these states to experience the phenomenon in person.
You may remember the total solar eclipse of 2017. It was a spectacle, but this one will be different in several ways.
First, this eclipse will last twice as long. An estimated 4 minutes and 28 seconds of total darkness.
Next, the path of totality for this eclipse is wider at 115 miles, compared to 70 miles in 2017, meaning millions more people will get to see this event.
While 13 states stretching from the Southwest to the Northeast will experience total darkness, all 48 contiguous states will experience a partial eclipse during the phenomenon, which takes several hours to complete.
“The astronomical phenomenon of an eclipse is a known wonder of the human experience, frankly, and so as long as people have been attempting to watch an eclipse, they've also realized that they should probably protect themselves," says astrophysicist Jackie Faherty.
If you want to witness this phenomenon firsthand, you need to protect yourself.
“One look through an unsafe eclipse glass for an extended period of time, you'd have to look at the sun for several seconds, but in several seconds your eyes can be damaged either partially or permanently,” says Explore Scientific founder Scott Roberts.
As soon as the eclipse begins, you’ll need to protect your eyes.
Regular sunglasses will not do the trick. You’ll need to purchase eclipse glasses.
Beware of misleading products when purchasing eclipse glasses. You should look for “ISO certification.”
"When the moment of totality comes, if you're in the path of totality, you are allowed to take those glasses off and watch it safely,” says Faherty.
Immediately as the sun reappears, you should put your glasses back on.
NASA stresses the importance of not looking through a camera lens or binoculars, stating, “The concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.”
Those capturing the event through a camera or telescope will need to purchase a solar filter.
The next solar eclipse that will be visible from the United States won’t occur for another 20 years, on August 23, 2044.
For additional safety or location information, visit NASA.gov.