HOW TO SAFELY SEE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE
WHAT TO KNOW AND WHERE TO GO
Next month, the heavens will bear witness to a familiar yet rare dance between the two brightest celestial bodies in the sky, and Chicago-area residents will have several options to safely observe the astronomical spectacle.
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The narrow path of totality, in which the moon appears to completely block the sun, will begin over the Pacific coast of Mexico and then cross into Texas and 12 other states, including southern Illinois.
Weather permitting, those not in the path of totality who look up will be able to see a partial eclipse starting around 12:50 p.m. that day in the Chicago area, as the sun and moon line up. It should be at its peak starting at 2:07 p.m. — with, at its height, the moon covering about 94% of the sun — and last for about four minutes, according to Michelle Nichols, director of public observing for the Adler Planetarium.
The eclipse will move out of the area by 3:20 p.m., according to NASA.
Nichols stressed that it’s never safe to view a partial eclipse without the aid of equipment specially designed to look directly at the sun. Otherwise, you risk getting burns on your eyes that could permanently damage your vision. Sunglasses don’t cut it. Nor should people look at the eclipse through any type of fabric.
“You don’t have any pain receptors at the back of your eyes, so the burn will happen, and it’s not like you’re going to feel pain while it’s happening,” Nichols said. “By the time you figure out what’s happened, it’s too late.”
Pinhole projectors are often used to safely observe eclipses. Guides on how to make one can be found online.
There are also certified glasses that use special solar filters that block out enough ultraviolet rays and bright light for safe viewing.
The American Astronomical Society provides guides on how to find solar filter certified glasses and approved suppliers that sell them. Adler will give out safe viewing glasses to anyone who stops by starting the morning of the eclipse while supplies last.
The planetarium is offering safe solar viewing through telescopes on the day of the eclipse and other free outdoor activities. The planetarium also has an exhibit on eclipses.
The Museum of Science and Industry will be hosting eclipsethemed activities included in the price of admission. The museum also will have safe-viewing telescopes and a NASA livestream of the eclipse.
On the South Side, Pullman National Historical Park, 610 E. 11th St., will throw a viewing party from 1 to 3 p.m. April 8 that will include viewing glasses and a Q&A session with NASA ambassador Mark Benson.
If you want to experience the full wind-shifting, temperature dropping experience of totality, you can drive downstate to Carbondale, about 330 miles south of Chicago. It has the rare distinction of being in the path of a total eclipse for the second time in seven years.
In Carbondale, totality should begin at 1:59 p.m. and be at its maximum — 100% coverage of the sun — at 2:01 p.m. before ending at 2:03 p.m.
Nichols experienced the total solar eclipse there in 2017 and thinks the trip is worth it, particularly because Carbondale will experience totality for just over four minutes this year, twice as long as before. That’s because the moon is closer to Earth this time of year.
“It was absolutely one of the most amazing sky phenomena I’ve ever seen,” Nichols said. “It’s a very sensory experience. You feel the temperature drop. You might feel the wind either pick up or die down.”
It’s only within the path of totality that it’s safe to view the eclipse without proper aids, as the moon completely obscures the sun, revealing the corona.
Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is hosting a four-day festival leading up to the eclipse. Most events are free, and the full schedule can be found on the school’s website.
The events there will culminate on the day of the eclipse with a mass viewing party at Saluki Stadium, which seats 15,000. It’s one of NASA’s featured locations for the eclipse, with live telescope feeds and commentary by experts.
Sarah Vanvooren, SIU’s director of events and outreach, said nearby hotels are filling up fast, but there’s some space left on campus as well as camping opportunities.
“It’s a really good opportunity for people who are not familiar with southern Illinois to experience it at SIU,” Vanvooren said.