The Solar Eclipse
On April 8th, the United States will be treated to an astronomical event, a solar eclipse. As the moon passes in front of the sun, there will be a mid-day darkening, akin to twilight. While the total eclipse will occur on an arcing path from Texas to Maine, Snellville should be treated to about an 80% eclipse at around 3:00pm weather permitting.
While truly a memorable experience, you must use eye protection when viewing to prevent permanent damage to your retina. SUNGLASSES ARE NOT ADEQUATE! There are special “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers that are available. We suggest looking on the American Astronomical Society’s web page for a list of vetted suppliers.
Be very wary of fake or counterfeit solar glasses that you can buy on the internet. The statement that they meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard may not be true, especially those that are imported from other countries. It is not worth risking a retinal burn which can result in a permanent central blind spot in your vision for the few minutes of enjoyment.
At the very least, Eclipse glasses should block all but the brightest of light. Indoors, you should not be able to see anything through them. Furniture, shaded lamps, etc., should not be at all visible. A bare light bulb or the flashlight on your smartphone should appear quite dim. When looking at the sun, it should be visible but not uncomfortably bright.
Enjoy the eclipse, but please BE SAFE!