Solar Eclipse Safety: Do’s and Don’ts for Today’s Viewing

MACON, Georgia. (41NBC/WMGT) – Today’s the big day! A total solar eclipse will occur this afternoon, and it’ll be visible across the United States. Information regarding the astronomical event has been flooding social sites on the web for weeks. With the event beginning in just a few hours, here is a list of do’s and don’ts for this afternoon’s viewing.

Do’s:
– ALWAYS wear certified solar eclipse sunglasses while viewing the eclipse (from start to finish).
– Put on protective eyewear before looking at the sun.
– Turn away from the sun before taking off your protective eyewear.
– Keep an eye on kids who are also viewing the sky.
– Give your eyes a break from viewing every few minutes.
– Use a pinhole projector to view eclipse safely when solar sunglasses aren’t an option.

Don’ts:
– Don’t take off your certified solar sunglasses at any time while viewing the eclipse.
– Don’t wear regular sunglasses, homemade viewers.
– Don’t use cameras, telescopes, binoculars without a filter.
– Don’t take pictures using cellphones/tablets without a filter.
– Don’t try to view the event using “solar eclipse viewing” apps on your mobile devices.

Without the solar filter, your eyes may suffer serious eye damage. The eclipse will play a trick on our eyes. As the moon starts to block the sun, our pupils enlarge to allow more UV rays in. Because Middle Georgia is not in the path of totality (meaning not 100% of the sun’s rays will be blocked), more damaging rays will be entering our eyes. The result – serious eye damage and possibly blindness.

Aside from using protective solar sunglasses or a pinhole projector, there will be a way to watch safely online. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will be live-streaming the eclipse on their website throughout the day.

According to NASA’s website, images will be captured throughout the event with 11 spacecrafts and over 50 special high-altitude balloons. Some astronauts will also be contributing to the coverage with images taken from the International Space Station (ISS).

Easy to say, it’s going to be a big event. Historic in fact! This will be the first total solar eclipse in the United States since 1979. It’s the first to cross the continental United States in almost 100 years.

Stay with 41NBC for solar eclipse coverage throughout the day! We’ll have coverage during the news at 11 a.m, 5:30 p.m, 6:00 p.m and 11 p.m on 41NBC. Be sure to follow our Facebook page and Twitter account, too!