Don't shoot in the dark with eclipse viewing

Uinta County Public Health
Posted 8/15/17

Evanston will see 94 percent of the solar eclipse on Aug. 21. Keep yourself and your eyes safe while viewing it.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't shoot in the dark with eclipse viewing

Posted

Many Wyoming communities will be treated to one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights” a total solar eclipse on Aug. 21. During a solar eclipse, the moon moves in front of the sun, covering it completely for a few minutes and darkening the sky. 

In Evanston, we’ll see 94 percent of a total eclipse. This exciting and rare phenomenon (the last one in Wyoming was in 1918) is totally worth tuning in for, and the city has some fun activities planned. 

Here are a few tips to keep you and your eyes safe while viewing it:

Eye safety is very important, especially before and after “totality” and in those areas where less than 100 percent percent of totality will be seen.

“While staring directly at the sun is never good, the temptation to look at the sun during the eclipse will no doubt be strong for all of us, including children,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, acting state health officer with Wyoming Department of Health. “If you’re going to look at the sun from anywhere in Wyoming without protection, your eyes could be damaged.”

Harrist noted the only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters such as eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers. “Ordinary sunglasses, even if they are very dark, will not allow you to safely look at the sun,” she said.

Many vendors are selling eclipse glasses in stores or online, and there will be some available from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Aug. 21 at the Chamber of Commerce’s eclipse celebration at Depot Square. 

If purchasing some glasses, make sure that they’ll do the job. Eclipse glasses or solar viewers should:

Have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard.

Display the manufacturer’s name and address.

Not be used if they have scratched or wrinkled lenses or are older than three years.

“It’s also important you do not look at the sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or similar device,” Harrist said. “You also should not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars or other device while also using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer. The concentrated solar rays can damage the filter and seriously injure your eyes.”

Harrist said other options for safe viewing include pinhole projectors or other projection techniques, certain welding hoods or specialized solar filters for telescopes.

Another safety concern is that of increased traffic in town. It is possible that we’ll see a lot of people coming through on their way to communities with totality.

Comprehensive information about the eclipse, including more details about safe viewing, are available from NASA at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/.

Information about viewing the eclipse in Wyoming, including maps and location details, is available at www.travelwyoming.com/Eclipse.