A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely obscures the Sun. On April 8, 2024, between 12:30 p.m. CDT (in Texas) and 4:40 p.m. EDT (in Maine), a total solar eclipse will cross over North America. Some people are already preparing for the celestial event by purchasing solar eclipse glasses and special filters for their cameras. Others will simply experience another Monday at work.
If any of your employees or their families want to watch the eclipse, the information below can help them experience the eclipse safely and get back to work or school without eye damage.
Looking directly at the Sun can damage your eyes. Your sunglasses, no matter how dark they are, won’t protect your eyes during the eclipse. Don’t ever use binoculars, a telescope, or a camera to look at the Sun directly, even during the eclipse when it’s partially blocked by the Moon.
You can safely watch the eclipse directly with special eye protection. You can use special eclipse glasses or a piece of #14 welding glass. You can also view the eclipse directly through a solar viewer. Here is some information on eye protection from NASA.
If you’re in the path of the total eclipse, you can look at the Sun directly, without eclipse eye protection only during totality, when the Moon completely obscures the Sun. Totality only lasts a few minutes. You’ll know it’s safe because you won’t be able to see any part of the Sun through your eclipse glasses or welding glass. Remember that before and after totality, you can only look at the Sun through your eclipse glasses or welding glass. If you’re not in the path of totality, you must use your eclipse glasses or welding glass all the time.
You can also safely watch the eclipse indirectly. In this case, you’ll watch the shadow of the Moon crossing the Sun. You’ll be looking away from the Sun, like you are when you look at your own shadow on the ground. All you need is a slotted spoon, a colander, a pinhole in a piece of paper, or even your hands. There is a good explanation from the American Astronomical Society here.
Remember to protect your skin. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Even the eclipsed Sun can cause sunburn.
If you’re unphased by the eclipse and want to keep working, be ready to turn on a light. When the sunlight is blocked, it’ll be pretty dark and feel like dawn or dusk. But think about taking a break and going outside. The next total eclipse in North America isn’t till 2044.