Are you prepared for next Monday, August 21’s solar eclipse?
You would think everyone knows not to stare directly at the sun without specially “approved” solar glasses, viewers or other solar filters during a partially eclipsed sun, there are still many people who are not aware of this. NASA recommends that people who plan to view the eclipse check the safety authenticity of viewing glasses to ensure they meet basic safe viewing standards.
NASA recommends the following safe viewing information
- Have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard
- Have the manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on the product
- Do Not use homemade filters
- Glasses should not be used if they are older than three years, or have scratched or wrinkled lenses
Ordinary sunglasses — even very dark ones — should not be used as a replacement for eclipse viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers
NASA offers an alternative method for safely viewing the partially-eclipsed sun by using a pinhole projector. This method streams the sunlight through a small hole, such as a pencil hole in a piece of cardboard or paper, onto a makeshift screen, i.e., a piece of paper or the ground. It is extremely important that people only watch the screen and not the sun directly. Even looking at the sun through the pinhole is not safe.
Don’t want to risk it? Well, NASA TV will offer a special live four-hour program, “Eclipse Across America: Through the Eyes of NASA” with real-time coverage of the event from coast to coast. This program will include images of the eclipse from numerous spacecraft, including the International Space Station, high-altitude aircraft and balloons, and ground observations. The broadcast will also 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,