Monday, April 8th will see the first solar eclipse since 2017 and the last one until 2044.
The solar eclipse is a rare event involving the moon passing between the sun and the Earth simultaneously, resulting in a shadow and a cool sight to see.
Despite how cool the solar eclipse can be, you have to take caution when viewing or else you can seriously damage your eyes.
When looking, you must wear solar eclipse glasses, which are stronger versions of sunglasses. Make sure the glasses are CE and ISO certified and the lenses have no scratches or damage.
You can pick up your glasses in the library as the school has been able to get 100 glasses for students to use while viewing after school on Monday.
If you don’t want to use glasses to view the solar eclipse, you can use alternative methods such as a pinhole projector.
If you decide to look at the eclipse without glasses, your pupils will expand because of the low light, despite UV radiation remaining high. Because of this, your cornea and retina can get damaged.
Another tip is to wear sunscreen. If you watch the eclipse for an extended period, you will be in the sun for multiple hours. Make sure to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.
To learn more, see this NASA-made video about the solar eclipse.
