by The April 2024 total solar eclipse will be the last visible from the contiguous United States until 2044. Here’s how to prepare for it
George Frey/Getty
Eclipse sunglasses.
It’s time to add another pair of sunglasses to your collection!
However, this particular pair isn’t for fashion purposes – rather, it’s for protection in view of the upcoming total solar eclipse that’s expected to occur in April 2024.
Consider the last time a total solar eclipse was visible from the United States in April 2017, when NASA advised viewers to watch the astronomical phenomenon with specialized eye protection. This year is no different!
The space agency recommends eye protection for those hoping to catch a glimpse of this highly anticipated event, especially for the phases before and after totality (that is when the moon blocks the bright face of the sun).
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Even without an astronomical event that causes people to look directly at the sun, doctors advise people to wear a pair of good colors in bright weather; that’s because, as NASA points out, looking at “any part” of the sun “without a special purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optic” will cause “serious eye damage”.
It is important to note, however, that the eye protection glasses recommended by the agency for viewing the solar eclipse are not the same as regular sunglasses. In addition, they should not be used when looking through cameras, binoculars or telescopes.
Read on for what you need to know about NASA’s recommended glasses for viewing the 2024 solar eclipse, including when and where to buy them.
What is a solar eclipse?
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A solar eclipse was observed from China in January 2010.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, according to NASA. The moon goes into different phases during an eclipse.
At the right moment, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes over the sun and blocks out its bright light completely. Other times a partial solar eclipse occurs, when the moon covers only part of the sunlight.
A total solar eclipse is a spectacular sight if the astronomical phenomenon is visible from your location on Earth. The April 2024 solar eclipse, which will be visible in the US, is expected to occur at midday, resulting in the darkness of the day for a few minutes.
“If you want to experience total darkness during an eclipse, you have to be in the path of totality,” reports NASA. “If you don’t know what’s going on, it can get confusing. Animals get confused too!”
Related: Everything You Need to Know About October’s Solar Eclipse and What It Means for Your Zodiac Sign
When will the solar eclipse be in 2024?
The next solar eclipse is on Monday, April 8, 2024. The exact time depends on where the viewer is located in North America, where the phenomenon will go after it starts over the South Pacific Ocean .
“Weather permitting, the first place on the North American continent to experience totality will be the Pacific coast of Mexico at approximately 11:07 a.m. PDT,” according to NASA. Then, he will enter the United States in Texas.
Then, it passes through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, as well as small parts of Michigan and Tennessee. (Those interested in experiencing the total solar eclipse should look up exactly where their position is within the path of totality; many well-located towns are hosting events to celebrate!)
After making its way over the US, the eclipse will enter Canada. It will leave the North American continent on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 pm NDT.
What are eclipse sunglasses?
George Frey/Getty
A couple wearing eclipse sunglasses watches the October 2023 solar eclipse from Utah.
Eclipse sunglasses are specialized eyewear recommended by NASA for viewing the solar eclipse, and are specifically made from materials that enable safe viewing of the sun.
“Eclipse sunglasses use lenses made of black polymer, a flexible resin infused with carbon particles,” according to the Planetary Society’s website. “They are about 100,000 times darker than normal sunglasses and block almost all visible light as well as all infrared and ultraviolet light.”
Eclipse glasses are not the only type of protective eyewear recommended for use. Handheld solar viewers are another option if you can’t afford a pair of glasses.
NASA says it “does not approve any particular brand of solar viewer.” (The American Astronomical Society has a list of reputable vendors on its site.) However, NASA emphasizes that those hoping to observe the sun must wear a pair, as regular colors are not “sun-safe.” to see” during. the eclipse.
Do eclipse sunglasses need to be worn?
NASA has strongly recommended eclipse sunglasses and handheld solar viewers to view the phenomenon in its partial phases as a way to prevent eye damage from the sun. However, there are other ways to look if you don’t want to buy and wear this kit.
NASA offers an indirect viewing method, which does not involve looking directly at the sun. Using a pinhole projector, for example, is one way viewers can experience the eclipse.
A pin projector has a tiny opening (like a hole punched in an index card) and projects an image of the sun onto a nearby surface. When facing away from the sun, the space agency says viewers can “safely see the projected image”. (Do no look at the sun through the pinhole!)
There is also a brief total window (when the moon completely covers the sun) when NASA notes that the eclipse is visible “without proper eye protection.” The only safe time is when you can “no longer see any part of the sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.”
Related: Fly in the Path of Totality During April’s Total Solar Eclipse on this Delta flight
Where and when to buy eclipse sunglasses?
PHOTOS/Getty
A couple watches the solar eclipse with protective eyewear from El Salvador in October 2023.
So what exactly are you looking for to make sure you are buying the right type of glasses?
“Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and should conform to international standard ISO 12312-2,” according to NASA.
The space agency links to a resource page with vetted companies that make and sell safe solar viewers and filters for binoculars and telescopes; According to NASA, these vendors have “demonstrated” that the products they are selling “meet the safety requirements” of the above standard.
The resources page does not recommend searching for eclipse glasses on Amazon, eBay, Temu or any other online marketplace and buying from whichever seller offers the lowest price. Before making an online purchase, make sure the seller is “identified on the [NASA] location.”
As for when you should buy your eclipse sunglasses, Forbes recommends buying them now. This is because demand for the product will only increase as April 8 gets closer, which will result in higher prices.
“According to the e-commerce accelerator pattern, online eclipse sunglasses prices have increased 27% since the last solar eclipse in North America on Oct. 16,” the outlet reported on March 7 — and based on supply-and-demand. , prices will likely only increase from here.
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