The Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017

I remember being excited at the prospect of viewing my first solar eclipse in 1979 when I was 16 years old. On Monday, August 21, the continental United States will experience its first viewable solar eclipse since 1979.  Florida will next experience another total solar eclipse in the year April 8, 2024.

While there is a particular diagonal band running across the United States wherein people will experience a 100% eclipse, in Florida, the solar eclipse will be 85%, meaning the moon will almost completely cover the sun. This is truly a historic event.

 

As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, and the moon fully or partially blocks the sun. This causes the illusion of twilight in the middle of the day, as well as a noticeable temperature drop and a visible ring of light around the silhouette of the moon. It is easy to understand why in days when science was not as advanced as it is today, the occurrence of a solar eclipse caused anxiety.

Staring directly at the sun during a solar eclipse can damage your eyes. Sunglasses do not provide effective protection. In order to view the eclipse safely, plan on using one of the following tools:

 

ISO-approved solar filter glasses must meet the following safety requirements:

 

Please follow these guidelines so that you may safely experience a truly historic event.