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Solar Eclipse Safety Tips

Solar Eclipse Safety Tips for Monday, April 8

The total solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024. This will be a remarkable sight for those along its path across North and Central America, as well as parts of Europe and South America. A total solar eclipse happens approximately every 18 months somewhere on Earth, and anticipation for each one is always high because visibility from any single location is rare.

Norfolk will experience a partial eclipse, which is expected to begin at approximately 2:02 p.m. and will last until about 4 p.m. Its maximum view will take place around 3:20 p.m. Even with a partial eclipse, everyone must protect their eyes if they choose to view it.

Please take necessary safety measures if you plan to see the eclipse. Eye safety during an eclipse is crucial. Looking at the sun can cause severe eye damage or blindness.

Please review the Do’s and Don’ts:

DO

  • Use eclipse glasses or solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 standards (sometimes written as ISO 12312-2:2015). But do not stare continuously at the sun. Take breaks and give your eyes a rest.
  • Use a box pinhole viewer. Learn how to make one
  • Use a pinhole projector. Learn how to make one
  • Use your hands to cast shadows on the ground. Cross your hands with fingers slightly spread to create a waffle pattern. Look down, and you will see the spaces between your fingers, which project a shadow image of the sun in a crescent shape during the partial eclipse stages.
  • Look at shadows on the ground, such as beneath a leafy tree, during the partial eclipse to see the crescent sun shadows projected by the spaces between the leaves.
  •  Drive with your headlights on.

DON'T

  • Do not look at the sun directly.
  • Do not view through regular sunglasses. No matter how dark they are, they will not protect your eyes.
  • Do not use damaged eclipse sunglasses or solar viewers. If they are torn, scratched or punctured, do not use them and throw them away. If the filters are coming out of their frames, discard them.
  • Do not use homemade filters.
  • Do not view through welder's glass. The glass in most welding helmets is not strong enough.
  • Do not view through your camera viewfinder.
  • Do not view through a telescope without the proper solar filter. Do not view the telescope using your eclipse sunglasses either.
  • Do not view through binoculars.
  • Do not watch the solar eclipse while driving.
  • Do not drive with eclipse glasses on.
  • Do not attempt to take pictures or video of the eclipse while driving.

https://www.in.gov/dhs/solar-eclipse-2024/viewing-safety/#Do_s_and_Don_ts

Remember, while the solar eclipse is a spectacular event, protecting your eyes is the most crucial part of your planning. Enjoy the eclipse safely!