Solar Eclipse Advisory for Aug. 21
On Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 students and staff in Yuma Union High School District will experience a total solar eclipse.
It is the first time since 1979 that an eclipse will be visible across the entire continental Unites States. Although we will only be able to view a partial eclipse in Arizona, it is still an exciting phenomenon. According to NASA.org, the eclipse begins at 9:15 a.m. in Arizona with maximum exposure at 10:33 a.m. The eclipse will end at noon.
All schools will proceed with classes as regularly scheduled. An advisement was sent to students, parents and staff informing them to avoid looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection in order to prevent permanent vision damage or loss.
NASA.org provided further information and helpful tips for safely viewing the eclipse:
- The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” (example shown at left) or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight. Refer to the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers (link is external) page for a list of manufacturers and authorized dealers of eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers verified to be compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for such products.
- Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
- Always supervise children using solar filters.
- Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After looking at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun.
- Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
- Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.
- Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.
- Arizona lies outside the path of totality. You must always use a safe solar filter to view the sun directly.
- If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses on over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
Click here to live stream the eclipse through NASA's website.