Are you prepared for today’s solar eclipse?
Top News Today :
In case you’ve been living on the dark side of the moon and are completely unaware, the world will experience a unique solar eclipse today. The event is considered historic this year since the path of totality (where the moon totally blocks the sun) will go directly across the United States. Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo, NY/Niagara Falls are among the cities that will experience the most spectacular show, particularly when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun and provides total darkness during the afternoon for around 3 minutes.
Granted, a solar eclipse can be seen from anywhere in the world, although it will only be partial. However, the ability to see a total eclipse in your own backyard is indeed a rare occurrence.
The last one to travel across America was in August of 2017 — and won’t occur again until August of 2044!
So, if you’re in one of the states or world locations listed on this map, the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse is absolutely worth it.
Many Americans began making eclipse plans a year ago. Others have chartered private planes to view the eclipse from the sky (and above the clouds). Still, some just intend to wing it.
However, if you somehow thought you could go outside during the afternoon, look up to the sky, and witness the thrill of the heavenly event, you’d be mistaken. More importantly, the rays of the sun would render you permanently blind in just a matter of seconds.
For this reason, you need special solar eclipse glasses (most are made of cardboard and are disposable). Regular sunglasses won’t protect you.
It’s too late to order them now, but you may be able to find them in certain local stores or being given away for free by certain local organizations. However, it’s important to note that the market has been flooded with fake eclipse glasses that won’t work and can still damage your eyesight.
I can personally attest to this fact after ordering a pair of lenses on eBay (from a seller who got the glasses from a distributor in China). Thankfully, eBay discovered the glasses were counterfeit and contacted me with a refund and a warning NOT to use them.
So, how can you tell if your glasses are real or fake?
American Astronomical Society
According to The Planetary Society, legit lenses are made of black polymer (or resin infused with carbon particles) that blocks nearly all visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light. Additionally, real lenses will display the safety standard known as ISO 12312-2 right on the product. Finally, the name of the company that manufactured the lenses AS WELL AS the address of the factory will be printed on real lenses (my fake glasses had the name of the factory but not the address).
“Sunglasses, smoked glass, unfiltered telescopes or magnifiers, and polarizing filters are unsafe. Inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use — if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device,” according to a release by the American Optometric Association.
A similar warning goes out to anyone hoping to take photos or capture video of the eclipse using their smartphone. The sun can damage your camera lens similar to the way it can damage your eyes. So, unless you have a special filter for your phone (to photograph or video the event), do yourself a favor and just watch it live without recording it.
Finally, if you’ve waited until the last minute to make plans to watch this historical event and think you might drive or fly today to one of the areas of totality, you can forget it. The Federal Highway Administration expects a traffic nightmare across 30 major US highways.
“Having a total solar eclipse pass through the US is kind of like having 20 or 30 Super Bowls happening all at once,” said Richard Fienberg, a project manager of the American Astronomical Society’s Solar Eclipse Task Force.
A total solar #Eclipse will cross 15 states–from Texas to Maine–on April 8, and will have a widespread impact on the traveling public. Don’t have an eclipse in judgment! Please plan ahead and look out for each other during this spectacular event. #Eclipse2024 pic.twitter.com/Lp7CTZrWPx
— Federal Highway Admn (@USDOTFHWA) April 3, 2024
Flights (if you can still get one today) and hotel rooms (if any are even available) have been marked up 500% and are simply unaffordable.
If you’ve made no plans but still want to see the event in some form, grab yourself a pair of authentic eclipse glasses and watch it live from your backyard or a local park. However, if you’ve been planning for months and have your flight, hotel, and glasses all ready to go, have yourself a blast.
Just be sure to check the weather report to make sure clouds don’t ruin the fun.
OK WASSUP! discusses the Top News Today:
Are you ready for the solar eclipse?
It is an interesting topic…..
But believe it or not, I’m a bit fearful about eclipses, and always have been, ever since I was a young child.
The truth is, when I was a child, I was always happy that my mom made us (her 4 little children) stay in the house during an eclipse fearing we would look up at the Sun and go blind. In fact most of the children of my generation, in my community, weren’t allowed to play outside during an eclipse, for the same reason.
Suffice it to say, today is not a comfortable day for me.