There is less than a week until the much-anticipated solar eclipse. While the path of totality will pass through 14 states, Charlottesville will experience a partial eclipse with about 86% of the sun covered. Here’s some information to help you make the most of your eclipse experience.
Eighty-six percent sounds dramatic. But that means 14 percent of the sun will still be visible. The sun is 400,000 times brighter than the full moon. So 14 percent of the sun is almost 60,000 times brighter than the full moon. In other words, the day will not get noticeably dark. The eclipse itself will take place slowly over the course of about 3 hours between 1:15 and 4:01 pm. At no time will it be safe to look directly at the sun without eye protection.
Eclipse glasses
Eclipse glasses are one way to view the eclipse, though care must be taken to use them properly. Use only glasses that you are certain came from a reputable source. High demand for glasses has encouraged widespread counterfeiting. Parents should be aware that glasses may not be sized for young children and need to ensure that no part of the sun’s rays gets around the sides of the glasses. Children may also get impatient if they have difficulty viewing and may try to remove the glasses to see better. Careful monitoring of children is essential.
The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library does have limited numbers of safe eclipse glasses available for participants in eclipse-related programming. Most will be distributed after the speaker at the Central Eclipse Viewing Party beginning at 1:30 pm on Monday, August 21. Glasses are not being distributed outside of eclipse events. Search for the term eclipse on the JMRL web calendar to find events at a library location near you: https://www.jmrl.org/calendar.html
Pinhole viewers
Instructions for a variety of pinhole viewers and projectors are readily available. You can find ideas on the NASA eclipse website (https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-viewing) or on the Exploratorium’s website (https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how-to-view-eclipse).
Live stream video
Both NASA and the Exploratorium will host live stream video of the eclipse. NASA’s footage will be available at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-live-stream, the Exploratorium’s at https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse
Apps
And of course, there’s an app for that! Check out the list on NASA’s website to find an app for your device to help enhance your eclipse experience: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/apps
Find out more about this eclipse and solar eclipses in general at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/