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Total Solar Eclipse Safety Guide

The Total Solar Eclipse Photography Guide is available here.

There is a lot of misinformation going around about viewing and photographing the eclipse. Please refer to NASA (Est. 1958, preceded by NACA Est 1915) and AAS (American Astronomical Society, Est. 1899) for safety guidelines. They employ some of the top experts in the world in the field of astronomy. They know what they are talking about when it comes to safety for viewing the sun and eclipses.

NASA safety guide

Official NASA Solar Eclipse Safety Guide

American astronomical society safety guide

NASA approves and recommends the American Astronomical Society safety guide.

Amazon.com recall

Amazon.com recalled many solar filter glasses August 12, 2017 because some individual Amazon sellers did not send in verification that they purchased them from legitimate manufacturers, and Amazon.com is playing it safe with counterfeit glasses floating around. That means your glasses may or may not be counterfeit or fake copies. Here is a note from one seller of Baader Planetarium solar glasses.

Total eclipse VS partial eclipse

Personally I feel the partial eclipse is not as a big of a deal. It happens more often and I remember viewing a partial eclipse when I was a child in school. Totality will be the important moment for those of us that live in the path of totality since it will not occur again till 2078 in this region. Totality is more of a visual spectacle than a partial eclipse since you will be able to see the sun's atmosphere (corona).

Total Eclipse
You will not need any eye or camera protection during this phase of the eclipse.
Partial Eclipse
You must wear solar filter glasses during the whole partial eclipse. If you don't have glasses, you may share with a friend or family member since the first and second partial eclipse will last for around an hour.

Solar filter glasses

• Only use solar filter glasses that are approved by NASA and AAS, listed here.
• If you purchased solar filter glasses not listed on the approved list of safe brands, do not use them and throw them away.

Child safety

• Make sure you purchased child sized solar filter glasses or that the glasses you purchased fit your child's face correctly.
• Do not let your child view the partial eclipse for even a few seconds without solar filter glasses. It can cause serious injury or blindness.
• At all times monitor and supervise your child the whole eclipse or even keep your child inside if you think they will try and look at the sun without solar filter glasses.
• You can have your child sit inside a beach tent (with the front facing away from the sun if it is not directly overhead). Distract them with coloring books, games, or mobile gaming devices. You may also bring a fan.
• An alternative is to view the partial solar eclipse through a pinhole projector box. Here is a construction and viewing how-to-guide.
• Inform babysitters, daycares, pre-schools, and your child about safety guidelines and precautions.

Pet safety

NASA states pets don't look at the sun normally since that is in their insticts and won't do it on the day of the eclipse either.
• Totality may scare the pet when it gets dark in the middle of the day. You may want to give your pet calming treats or keep them indoors.
• Follow leash laws, so your pet doesn't run away during totality, or get scared if in a large crowd viewing the eclipse.

General safety, warnings, and important information

• Put on your solar filter glasses before looking towards the sun.
• Never look into the sun or point your camera at the sun without some type of solar filter, except during totality of a solar eclipse.
• Do not look at the sun for more than 3 minutes at a time even while wearing solar filter glasses (except during totality).
• Do not use scratched or damaged solar filters. Throw them away.
• Only purchase ISO certified (12312-2) solar filter glasses that are approved by NASA and AAS.
• Do not view the sun wearing only solar filter glasses AND looking through a viewing device such as a camera viewfinder, telescope, binoculars, or other viewing devices. This will focus the light like a magnifying glass burning ants, burning your eyes, causing serious injury or blindness. A solar filter must always be placed on the viewing device.
• If you purchased solar filter glasses not listed on the approved list of safe brands, do not use them and throw them away.
• Windows in your car, home, or workplace do not provide protection against the sun.
• Sunglasses DO NOT provide eye protection during the partial solar eclipse.
• If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on, and place solar filter glasses over them (in front of them).
• You may look at a camera LCD display or your mobile phone's screen during a partial eclipse, however, place a solar filter over your camera lens do you don't damage the camera sensor.
• Do not walk around while wearing solar filter glasses since they block your vision allowing you to only view the sun and not your surroundings.
• Plan ahead your solar eclipse viewing so you are prepared in every way, including checklists, packing lists, photographing, etc.
• Make sure family members or friends know your eclipse viewing plans in case of emergency.

• Do not drive during the partial or total eclipse. There may be distracted drivers. It's best to not drive during the day of the eclipse.
• Do not stop on the side of a road or highway during the eclipse. Distracted drivers may hit you.
• If you are driving to a viewing location, stay at the location long after the eclipse is over since roads will be busy.
• If you are working, plan alternate and lesser known routes to and from your home.
• If your vehicle becomes disabled, call *47 (SC State Highway Emergency Program), or 911 (for emergency only).

• Use proper clothing, hats, and sunscreen.
• Wear a sun or gardening hat.
• Bring a sun umbrella or beach tent.
• Drink plenty of water and snacks. 
• Place white hand towels over your camera and lens to reduce heat from from extended sun exposure. 

Disaster prep

News media outlets are reporting that with millions of visitors into South Carolina, that you need to be prepared for emergencies. These are advisories and not requirements.

• Have family emergency plan and learn the state emergency plan (in case of earthquake, or other major disaster).
• Stock up on groceries a few days before.
• Pickup prescriptions a few days before the eclipse if possible.
• Prepare a few days before to take care of weekend (and Monday) errands and activities.
• Have a full gas tank in all cars.
• Charge cell phones and have backup battery packs charged and available.
• Have backup power plans (distracted drivers driving into power poles and lines or major disasters, and there are solar power outages if you use solar panels).
• Cell phone towers and services may be overloaded.
• Stay away from large crowds.
• Do not use parking garages for eclipse viewing.

DISCLAIMER: NASA and AAS provide true safety guidelines. All other information is my personal opinion.



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