JULY'S RARE AND AMAZING ECLIPSES

(Page 2 of 2)

June/July 2000
 
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But wait: Is it safe to look directly at this spectacular solar event? Not necessarily. While the sun at the horizon is typically dimmed enough by the long pathway of air it shines through to be viewed safely with the naked eye, looking even a minute too soon could be dangerous. Also, even when on the horizon, the sun is too bright to risk viewing with binoculars or a telescope; the result could be blindness, possibly permanent.

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What should you do? Your best bet is to seek out your nearest amateur astronomy club (check the directory of clubs at www.skypub.com ). These folks can help you set up a "solar projection" (a set of techniques for safely projecting an image of the sun), or else they may have a telescope that is adequately shielded with a full-aperture filter. You may also be able to obtain glasses with aluminized Mylar lenses, which will make viewing safe - provided you don't try to use them with binoculars or your home telescope.

You can also contact a local welding supply company and, for just a few dollars, buy a small piece of shade #14 welder's glass to look through (again using only your eyes, no other optical instruments). Do not use welder's glass with a shade number lower than 14.

With some common sense, viewers can safely marvel at the solar eclipse of July 30. Observers in Seattle will see the moon extend as much as 31% of the way across the face of the setting sun.

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