Solar Eclipse

"Sun" Day is approaching fast... are you ready?

I have personally been planning for this year's solar eclipse for a couple of months now. I don't think everyone understands the significance of this particular eclipse. Everyone seems to say that they remember "the last eclipse", and it wasn't a big deal. Well, they are correct... that eclipse was not as big of a deal as this one!

This path of totality and tilt of the Earth will not be aligned in the same way again until 2099, so if you are willing to wait that long, then be my guest. This particular solar eclipse has the greatest chance to see the corona of the sun and the flare in the path of totality. Thousands of people have booked hotels and planned vacations around this event in order to be in the path of totality. According to KDKA even though Pittsburgh is not directly in the path, it should "appear" to be totality because of tilt of the Earth on this particular day. 

Here are some websites for more information about THIS eclipse:

• https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/april-8-2024

• https://nso.edu/for-public/eclipse-map-2024/

• https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/ (this website allows you to put in your zip code, so you can see when each stage will occur)

I personally am not taking a chance... my house (as most of you know is 71.4 miles and 5 counties away) is at 98% totality, but my mom's house is 99.8% totality. I will be packing up my car with all my filters, protective eyewear, and camera equipment to hopefully (as long it doesn't rain or is extremely cloudy with low, dense clouds) to see it. In fact, I have already reserved three parking spots to view this wonderous event on a soccer field.

If you are not planning on making it a big event, you still need to be aware that the eclipse does change the atmosphere and of course daylight. The area will get dark, it will become eerily quiet, and animals will act strangely. Some who have witnessed totality describe that colors seem to change and the air itself gets a disturbing feeling. IT WILL BE DISRUPTIVE!

CAUTIONS:

• Arrive at your destination before the eclipse begins or stay put until after it is completely finished. It will not be safe to drive. People will be trying to see the eclipse and the rapid change in light can mess with your eyes. Traffic may be congested the closer you get to the path of totality.

• Only look with protective eyewear. BE CAREFUL OF IMIATATIONS. The glasses you use to view the sun should be ISO and CE certified. These marks should be clear on the glasses themselves. THE ONLY TIME IT IS SAFE TO LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE ECLIPSE WITHOUT ECLIPSE GLASSES IS IN TOTALITY! If you look at the sun directly, you will damage your eyes. (The Bon Air parents are distributing glasses for $1 on the day of the event for the entire district).

• DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH THE ECLIPSE WITH YOUR PHONE OR CAMERA WITHOUT A FILTER. There are cases where cameras have melted or even caught on fire. You must have a filter that is approved for eclipse viewing... a UV filter is not enough to protect your equipment.