A Note About the 2017 Solar Eclipse from GSC’s Department of Science and Mathematics
GLENVILLE, WV - Provided the skies remain clear, observers in Glenville and the surrounding area should have a nice view of the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. Although Glenville doesn’t lie in the path of totality, viewers can expect to see about 85 percent of the sun obscured by the moon. The event will begin at about 1:00 EDT, reach a maximum at about 2:30, and the sun will be back in full view by 4:00. The video above shows what the entire process will look like from Glenville, but sped up by a factor of 300.
Humans ordinarily do not have to be instructed not to look directly at the sun, given that looking at the sun is painful. However, as the moon passes between us and the sun, the sun will become dim enough that pain may not be enough of a deterrent. It is extremely important not to ever look directly at the sun, even when the eclipse is at a maximum, as severe and permanent eye damage will result. Ordinary sunglasses will not allow you to safely view the sun – the sun must only be viewed directly when properly using approved solar eclipse glasses. Indirect viewing of the eclipse is much safer.
Live video of the event will be streamed by NASA, so even if skies are cloudy, you’ll be able to see the eclipse online. For low-tech indirect viewing, a simple pinhole viewer can be constructed. Just use a small sharp object, such as a thumbtack, to make a pinhole in a sheet of paper. Let the sun shine through the hole and project the image onto another sheet of paper. See how by clicking here.
