NASA's Safety Tips for the August Solar Eclipse

This August, those in the continental United States will be able to see a spectacular solar event: a Solar Eclipse. The event will take place on August 21st, but not everyone in the US will be able to see it. Only 14 states will be able to watch it, but NASA wants to ensure that everyone can see it safely. The organization has released the following details to help everyone stay safe.

While a partial eclipse will be visible in every state, a total solar eclipse will occur in only 14 states. For those unsure about the definitions, a total eclipse is when the Moon completely covers the Sun. A partial eclipse is when the Moon covers a small potion of the Sun.

Everyone should know by now that staring directly at the Sun during an eclipse is a terrible idea. There’s a large risk of damaging your vision if you stare at the sun with your naked eyes. Even looking at a partial eclipse can be dangerous. As a result, the only safe way to look directly at the sun is with a pair of “special-purpose solar filters”. Items such as eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer can be used to look directly at the sun during an eclipse.

However, NASA recommends that people check the safety authenticity of their glasses to make sure they meet the basic safety standards,

Here’s the criteria that NASA says the glasses should meet:

Have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard
Have the manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on the product
Do not use if they are older than three years, or have scratched or wrinkled lenses
Do not use homemade filters
Ordinary sunglasses (even very dark one)s should not be used as a replacement for eclipse viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers

Will you be watching the eclipse next month? Remember to stay safe!

This post was provided by Clare from Lunawolf Gaming