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On August 21, the United States will be experiencing the first total solar eclipse since 1991 and the first to move across the entire mainland of the country since 1918. While Los Angeles is not within the 70-mile-wide shadow path, Angelenos can expect to see a partial eclipse (up to 70%) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes in between the earth and the sun. While this rare occurrence may be exciting, safety is a concern. Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse could permanently injure your eyes.
Protect your eyes and view the eclipse safely with these tips:
- The sun may only be safety viewed through suitable eye-protective solar filters; see https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety for more information and https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters for reputable vendors.
- Shade #14 welders glass (compliant with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1) is also recommended for safe solar viewing. (Do NOT use lower shade numbers.)
- It is only safe to stare at the sun during the eclipse when the moon is totally covering the sun (totality). This only happens for a brief period and will only occur in a very narrow path about 70 miles wide from Oregon to South Carolina. As soon as bright beads of light start to appear (Baily’s beads), eye protection must be resumed to avoid retinal damage. This means, in Southern California, eye protection should be worn throughout the entire viewing of the eclipse.
For more information on the solar eclipse or for a solar eclipse party kit, visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/ and https://eclipse.aas.org/.