This year on August 21st, the contiguous United States will have an opportunity to see a natural phenomenon we haven’t been treated to since 1979, a total solar eclipse.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and completely blocks the sun from view. The NASA map below shows the areas of the country that lay within the area of totality or the regions in which the entire solar eclipse will be visible. While the complete eclipse will not pass through the state of California, we will still have the opportunity to view a partial eclipse between the hours of 9:05 AM and 11:44 AM, with the maximum eclipse visible at 10:20 AM.
To safely view the eclipse, onlookers can purchase certified special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers or follow the instructions provided by NASA for using your hands to project a safely viewable image:
“An alternative method for safe viewing of the partially eclipsed sun is pinhole projection. For example, cross the outstretched, slightly open fingers of one hand over the outstretched, slightly open fingers of the other. With your back to the sun, look at your hands’ shadow on the ground. The little spaces between your fingers will project a grid of small images on the ground, showing the sun as a crescent during the partial phases of the eclipse.”
By following simple safety tips, and getting the timing just right, this spectacular eclipse can be viewed from the comforts of our own San Diego. I can’t imagine a better vantage point from which to enjoy the sight than from one of our ships on the San Diego bay!
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