Get ready for solar eclipse this month

Proper eyewear vital for viewing amazing event Aug. 21

Are you ready for the solar eclipse? If not, you’ve still got time to prepare.

On Monday, Aug. 21, as long as weather permits, a solar eclipse will be visible across all of North America.

NASA reports the whole continent will experience a partial eclipse lasting two to three hours, while in people within a 70-mile path from Oregon to South Carolina will see a total eclipse lasting about 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

During the total eclipse, people within that 70-milewide band will be able to watch as the moon completely blocks the sun, turning day into night, and making bright stars and planets become visible, NASA notes. Sadly, that total eclipse won’t be visible here in Yuma, but we should have an amazing view of the partial eclipse.

According to NASA’s map, in Yuma, we will be able to see a maximum obscuration of 58 percent, which is still pretty awesome.

But regardless of where you watch the eclipse, whether it’s a total eclipse or a partial one, it’s important to have some simple protective gear: solar glasses to protect your eyes.

Sunglasses — even polarized ones — aren’t enough to do the job. One actually has to purchase eclipse glasses with solar filters or hand-held solar viewers.

Staring at the sun, even for just a few moments, can cause vision problems, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, including permanent retina damage or blindness.

However, NASA offers a few pointers for solar eclipse eye safety:

• Any glasses or viewers should have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard

• Any glasses or viewers should also have the manufacturer’s name and address printed on the product

• Devices older than three years or with scratched or wrinkled lenses should not be used

• Devices with homemade filters also should not be used, because they aren’t safe for looking directly at the sun.

It’s worth a few dollars to protect your eyes and enjoy the eclipse, but start planning now. NPR reports that demand for the glasses is up, and scammers are selling bogus products.

So be careful, do your research before you buy, and get ready to enjoy the August eclipse!

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