On Monday afternoon, Aug. 21, 2017, the first total solar eclipse visible in the continental United States in 38 years is scheduled to take place. The solar eclipse will affect an estimated 500 million people across North America, as the moon passes between the sun and Earth.
Depending on where you are located, the moon will block a part or all of the sun and create the surreal effect of nighttime during the day. In Tallahassee, the eclipse will begin at 1:10 p.m., and the estimated maximum viewing time is at 2:42 p.m.
Most people, including everyone at Florida A&M University (FAMU), will experience a partial solar eclipse as the moon’s shadow sweeps across the United States at more than 1,500 miles per hour.
Consistent with Leon County Schools, the Florida A&M University Developmental Research School will dismiss school at 12 p.m., on Monday. From 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., students will participate in a solar eclipse learning demonstration with FAMU Professor Ray O’Neal, Ph.D., who specializes in solar physics. All afterschool activities will be postponed until 4 p.m.
The University will remain open and operate according to its regular schedule. The University is reminding students that it is not safe to look directly at the sun during an eclipse.
If students choose to fully enjoy the eclipse experience, they should wear solar glasses to assist in keeping their eyes safe (see below for safety tips).
It will be even more important for people in Tallahassee to wear solar glasses since the eclipse in North Florida will be partial and allow UV rays to reach Earth. An interactive map on NASA’s website indicates Tallahassee will experience 86 percent totality.
NASA reports the only safe way to view the celestial sight is with special solar filters. Dark sunglasses do not provide enough protection against UV rays, which can burn the cornea’s transparent outer layer of cells or damage the light-sensitive cells in the retina at the back of the eye.
Eclipse glasses or handheld viewers must meet an international standard known as “ISO 12312-2.” Only five companies make glasses or viewers matching that standard: American Paper Optics, Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold film), Rainbow Symphony, Thousand Oaks Optical and TSE 17.
NASA offers these safety tips for the 2017 Solar Eclipse:
- Do not look directly at the sun.
- Solar filters, or eclipse glasses, provide the only safe way to look directly at a partial or total eclipse.
- Make sure the solar viewer or glasses include the manufacturer’s name and address.
- Do not use solar glasses that are older than three years or have scratched lenses.
- Do not use homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses.
- Do not look at an eclipse through an unfiltered camera viewfinder, telescope, binoculars or other optical device even with a solar filter. Those items magnify sunrays and can quickly damage the retina.
- Always supervise children who use solar filters.
For more information and ideas on viewing the eclipse, please visit: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety.
This information was compiled in partnership with Florida State University Communications.