On Monday, August 21, 2017, there will be a total solar eclipse across the continental US. The path of total eclipse crosses from Oregon to South Carolina. Outside the path of totality, there will still be a partial eclipse, as shown in the chart.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to NEVER look at the sun, unless ISO-approved eye protection is properly used. There is a link describing that protective eyewear. The local public libraries are giving away 2 million pairs of free eclipse glasses, or they may be purchased on-line at a reasonable cost.
One viewing method uses a white 8½x11 sheet of paper as a projection screen and either a pair of binoculars or a telescope pointed at the sun and at the paper. Once the focus is set, this method permits safe viewing of the eclipse. This is also described in the link. A pinhole in a solid sheet makes a pinhole lens that can be used in-place of binoculars or a telescope.
The local libraries have free eclipse glasses. I was the first to collect a few pairs. Most of the librarians looked at me like I had two heads when I asked about the free eclipse glasses (more than the usual two head look I collect).
IMO, their box of glasses will be depleted quickly once the word gets out. (Not the end of the world because the on-line pricing is very reasonable.)
You may wish to get some glasses for your family. Another safe option is to point a telescope at the sun and at a piece of white paper. I did the telescope method as a child and it worked fine. I just got a nice Tasco Luminova refractor telescope w/ a sun projection screen. It creates a nice image of the sun onto a white panel.
Enjoy the eclipse, or I will blot out the sun on August 21.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to NEVER look at the sun, unless ISO-approved eye protection is properly used. There is a link describing that protective eyewear. The local public libraries are giving away 2 million pairs of free eclipse glasses, or they may be purchased on-line at a reasonable cost.
One viewing method uses a white 8½x11 sheet of paper as a projection screen and either a pair of binoculars or a telescope pointed at the sun and at the paper. Once the focus is set, this method permits safe viewing of the eclipse. This is also described in the link. A pinhole in a solid sheet makes a pinhole lens that can be used in-place of binoculars or a telescope.
The local libraries have free eclipse glasses. I was the first to collect a few pairs. Most of the librarians looked at me like I had two heads when I asked about the free eclipse glasses (more than the usual two head look I collect).
IMO, their box of glasses will be depleted quickly once the word gets out. (Not the end of the world because the on-line pricing is very reasonable.)
You may wish to get some glasses for your family. Another safe option is to point a telescope at the sun and at a piece of white paper. I did the telescope method as a child and it worked fine. I just got a nice Tasco Luminova refractor telescope w/ a sun projection screen. It creates a nice image of the sun onto a white panel.
Enjoy the eclipse, or I will blot out the sun on August 21.