Enjoy nature’s show

April 2

It’s great that people today, despite all the technological marvels we enjoy, are still fascinated by grand, natural events.

We still stop to look at rainbows, enjoy the majesty of a thunderstorm and enjoy (from a safe distance) things such as volcanic eruptions. We watch with rapt attention to video of tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and the like.

Of course we can see more elaborate spectacles in movies or on television, but it’s not the same. No, natural events are something different.

For one thing, they’re a lot larger. The biggest movie screen in the world can’t compare to the scope of the sky. A produced spectacle contained in a box, for all its sound, fury and speed, isn’t the same as something out in the world.

Another important difference is in the impact such events have on us. While entertainment happens for us, natural wonders happen to us. We don’t get to plan natural phenomena or choose whether they happen. We can’t stop them when they do happen.

That’s why the upcoming total solar eclipse is getting so much attention.

Think for a moment about what a grand coincidence an eclipse is. It’s a precise alignment of the Earth, moon and sun, playing a cosmic game of shadows, and we get to see it.

Of course, we could wish the path of totality were a little farther south. Those of us unable to travel on April 8 will have to settle for something less than total darkness. Experts tell us we can expect something like 97% coverage of the sun, though, so it’s still worth stepping outside to see something we’re not likely to see again. The hours between 2 and 4 p.m. seem to be the time we can watch the sky go dark and then brighten again, according to NASA.

As an aside, what a marvel science is! Smart people calculated when and where this would happen, just as they have many times before. Solar eclipses must have caused terror among the ancients, but astronomers today know years in advance when they’re going to happen. Our modern communications channels make sure it’s not a surprise to anyone.

So, let’s hope for favorable weather and plan to step outside to see nature’s show, following some safety advice from NASA:

• During partial or annular solar eclipses, which is what we’ll have here, it is never safe to look directly at the eclipse without proper eye protection.

• Use eclipse glasses or a safe, handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers.

• Always inspect eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.

• Do not look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.

• If you don’t have eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can use a pinhole projector. Instructions for making one are widely available online.

• Do not use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars or telescopes. Those require different types of solar filters. When viewing a partial or annular eclipse through cameras, binoculars or telescopes equipped with proper solar filters, you do not need to wear eclipse glasses.

• Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens or other optics.

If you can, take advantage of viewing opportunities offered by local schools, colleges or libraries. They’ll be able to offer information to enhance the experience. We hope many will enjoy nature’s show.