Total Eclipse: Are You Ready?

After a long 99 years of sunrises and sunsets, more than 12 million people in the United States will find themselves in the path of totality during the solar eclipse on August 21st. Even though only people in the path of totality stretching from Salem, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina, will see the total eclipse, people in all 48 contiguous states will be able to experience this phenomenal event.

An eclipse is when one celestial body obscures the light of another by passing between it and its source of illumination. For those of us living on Earth, we can experience two distinct types of eclipses: a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse. A partial lunar eclipse happens at least twice a year when the moon is full, and you can see Earth’s shadow blocking the sun from reaching the moon. It lasts for a few hours and is safe to observe without any precautions.

When many of us think of a solar eclipse, we envision the dramatic blocking of the sun, but in reality, there are three different types of solar eclipses. Only one, a total eclipse, occurs when the Earth, moon and sun line up so precisely that the moon casts a shadow on Earth that makes the day go dark.

Only people in the path of the umbra can view the total eclipse. The umbra is the moon’s shadow cast on the Earth, and it gets smaller as it reaches Earth. The umbra is also called the path of totality and is where you will experience the full effects of day turning to night.

The other part of the shadow is called the penumbra, and this extends past the umbra. If you are living within this penumbra, you will be able to view a partial eclipse. The effects of the eclipse are not as dramatic in the penumbra but are still a sight to behold.

Unlike lunar eclipses, a solar eclipse lasts only for a few minutes, and you must take precautions to view it safely without damaging your vision. If you are fortunate enough to observe a total eclipse, at the moment the moon aligns with the sun, you will only be able to see the corona of the sun, which will be a bright halo of light around the darkened moon. It is only at this exact moment that looking at the sun without a filter may be safe. But it is such a short moment, and you must be cautious!

If you can’t find a pair of eclipse glasses at your local store, you can make a simple pinhole projector using a cereal box, white piece of paper and some foil. These tools will allow you to see and experience the eclipse without causing long-lasting damage to your vision.

Whether you are traveling to the path of totality or observing a partial eclipse from home, get your solar filters ready and prepare yourself for an otherworldly experience filled with majesty, wonder and delight.