Here is what you need to know about the total solar eclipse that will sweep across the United States on August 21.
If you are lucky, you live in the zone from Oregon to South Carolina. You can see the total eclipse. If you live outside the zone, you will see a partial eclipse.
Be sure to protect your eyes with special protection. Sun glasses are not enough.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
My district is forcing us to go to trainings on that day…
Be forewarned: “Regular sunglasses are not good enough! NASA has identified several manufacturers of eclipse glasses and solar filters that meet international safety standards. Eclipse glasses are also available at many libraries.”
When I was a kid at overnight summer camp, whenever there was an eclipse, they sent all the campers into town to see a movie, to make sure we didn’t look and put out eyes at-risk. I have such a fear of going blind that, ever since then, I have never even tried to see an eclipse with either “eclipse glasses” or any of the contraptions you can supposedly make yourself to avoid looking directly at the sun and protect your eyes. Once as an adult, during an eclipse, I did get a glimpse of how the sky turned completely dark in the middle of the day though, to my amazement, and that awesomeness was good enough for me.
Here’s the NASA link: “Eclipse Eyeglass Safety: Don’t be Blindsided! ”
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
Thanks for the link. Passed it on to my good friend and printer of my book who is throwing a party for all of his customers/clients. Won’t be there as I will be on the Meramec River dead center on the eclipse helping another poster here navigate that river, eh Dienne!!
You can make a pinhole projector. You don’t look at the sun at all, but see the eclipse reflected on the ground. I vividly remember going out with those boxes to watch a partial eclipse when I was in the 9th grade.
That’s what I’ve done and will do again. Excellent suggestion.
I figured I’d be looking at a reflection on the water. Actually, from what I’ve read it is safe to look at the total eclipse for the two or so minutes the moon completely blocks out the sun.
My brother is a Wiccan (Nature worshiper), He lives in Syracuse, NY, and he is driving to Kentucky, and attending a conclave,where the participants will chant, and worship the eclipse.
Good for your brother. I hope he sends his kids to public school to proselytize the other kids.
Explains a lot.
My brother’s children are all grown, and no longer attend school.
When I was stationed at Al-Asad Air Base, Iraq (2005-2006), there was a Wiccan assembly meeting at the base. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs, now permits Wiccan symbols on the tombstones of veterans in national cemeteries. There was a push to establish a Wiccan chaplain, for the Army.
Wicca and nature worship, is moving into the mainstream of religions in the USA. Good, this is part of our splendid tradition of religious freedom.
Charles,
Are you a Wiccan too?
My religious beliefs are a private matter. I am not a Wiccan. One of my interests is comparative religions. For my own edification and enlightenment, I study religions. I made an in-depth study of Islam, when I lived in Saudi Arabia. Somehow a rumor got started that I was going to convert to Islam. I could never do that, because I do not want to give up alcohol and pork.
“. . . because I do not want to give up alcohol and pork.”
Now you’re talking my lingo, Chas!!
Not sure where all you have lived (I know it’s been a lot of places) but have you ever had a St. Louis cut-style pork steak?
Sunglasses will not protect your eyes. Advising use of them can lead to harm. Welders glasses or, as I had my students do, using a pinhole projection works very well
Correct. Also, using a dark sheet large enough to get your head and shoulders as well as the projection screen of the pinhole under (like the old style cameras now only seen in movies used) can greatly enhance the view provided by pinhole cameras.
My husband and I are going to experience this TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE. The last one we experienced was in Germany.
Am reading a short chapter book for young people, entitled: THE INCREDIBLE MAGIC OF BEING by Kathryn Erskine. It is really GREAT. It’s filled with information about the COSMOS. Have your students read it.
Our wonderful principal purchased 600 pairs of eclipse glasses for us all. 😊
There is no such thing as strong sunglasses. Only specifically made eclipse glasses will protect your eyes when directly viewing the sun. I have used them twice and they work perfectly.
In order to make sure they are certified for viewing the eclipse see: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
I used regular sun glasses the first time and after that I could not find them for the second eclipse — cuz I couldn’t see.
“Solar Blindness”
Wanna go blind?
Wear the glasses
Sunglass kind
For lunar passes
Personally, I would NOT watch it directly.
Better to project the sun on a white sheet of paper with a pinhole camera.
Or watch it on TV. 🙂
But that’s just me.
And sunglasses are definitely NOT going to protect your eyes. In fact, they could actially make the damage worse because they can dilate your eyes letting in more damaging UV
If you do decide to use specially made “eclipse glasses’ you need to follow the directions precisely.
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/solar-eclipse-eye-safety
Note that the properly certified glasses ONLy provide sufficient protection DURING the eclipse and you need to inspect the glasses ahead of time for scratches.
Also be aware that just because someone has called them ” eclipse glasses” does not mean they will protect your eyes.
As with everything else, there are fakes.
The glasses have to be specially approved. You can find out which glasses made by which companies have been certified. If you have ANY doubts, don’t use them.
Hubby and I are driving to Carbondale, IL to experience the totality. We have our ‘special glasses’ and a sun filter for my telescope so I can take pictures.
I am excited.
And here is the link to the Astronomical Society of the Pacific offering viewing instruments.
https://myasp.astrosociety.org/products/eclipse
NEVER EVER USE SUN GLASSES
I plan on fishing on the Meramec River outside of St. Clair, Missouri during the eclipse event to see what effect it has on the fishing (if any). Got it all planned out, know which gravel/sand bar to be at so we are completely right under the total eclipse. Should be a good time!
Hunh, what a coincidence! The kids and I are going to be on the Meramec River too! Maybe I’ll see you there.
Shhhhh!
I meant only to protect the identities of the innocent, eh!
I was thinking of you when I looked at the map. Bring a big net in case they start jumping.
Well if I had a motor boat some of those Asian Carp might start flying through the air but I’ll be using my canoe with a 60’s era MinnKota trolling motor-yes still works. When I was up on the Missouri in Nebraska helping with my buddy’s lifetime adventure of paddling from Yankton, SD down St. Louis (he made it to Jeff City, only some 700 miles or so then ran out of time) I saw a couple of different boats and spoke with the guys running them. They had platforms built for gigging big head carp (native) but also had archery gear for flinging arrows at those non-native invasive Asian Carp when they jumped out of the water. I know guys that do that (archery fishing for Asian carp) on the Missouri right here by where I live. What a trip. If I could I’d be trying that, but not having a rotator cuff in my left shoulder prevents me from pulling a bow back. I grew up with bows and arrows, as my parents didn’t allow us to have BB guns, but hey we could have bows and arrows. I have always loved shooting them and now I can’t-bummer.
Diane:
Please edit your post. Sunglasses will not protect your eyes during the partial phases of the eclipse. You need need special eclipse glasses.
Boomer
Done
I found out from my brother, that there are individuals selling fake “eclipse glasses”, that will not protect your eyes during the eclipse. Please do not view the eclipse, unless you are using proper eyewear.
Please pass on the word, Chas!
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety