Safely Viewing the 2017 Solar Eclipse

It has been ninety-nine years since a total solar eclipse could be viewed across the continental United States. There have been other eclipses in that time, but not once in the past ninety-nine years has one been viewable from sea-to-shining sea.

Although the full eclipse can be viewed in only the western part of the state of North Carolina, the rest of the state will be able to view a pretty substantial partial eclipse. The path through North Carolina is shown below in the map from NASA.

The National Fish Hatchery here in Edenton has shared this interactive map and globe that shows the path of the total eclipse and gives an estimate of what percentage of eclipse other areas throughout the country will be able to see.

For Edenton, which is about as far away within the state of North Carolina as you can get from the path of the total eclipse, we will still witness 88.95% of the sun being covered by the moon with the maximum eclipse occurring at 2:47 pm. This animated video shows a time lapse of what will be seen during the eclipse.  There is also information about the direction and altitude of the eclipse.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Division of Child Development and Early Education encourage people who plan to view Monday's solar eclipse to use proper eye protection and take steps to reduce the risk of heat-related illness. They have provided this helpful information with regards to the eclipse and travel before, during and after the eclipse.

Looking directly at the sun, particularly during an eclipse can damage eyesight. With no pain receptors in the retina of your eye, you can damage your eyes without even knowing it is happening.

“Looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection can cause retinal burns,” said Edwin Swann, M.D., North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind State Certifying Ophthalmologist. “People who choose to view the eclipse should be sure they are equipped with special-purpose solar eclipse glasses or handheld viewers that meet NASA standards.”

Do not look directly at the sun, including during an eclipse, without proper eye protection.

Three Ways to Safely View the Eclipse

1) Directly viewing the eclipse

If you choose to view the eclipse directly, you must use dedicated eclipse viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer. NASA recommends that eclipse viewing glasses and handheld solar viewers should:

• Have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard
• Have the manufacturer's name and address printed somewhere on the product
• Not be used if they are older than three years or have scratched or wrinkled lenses

Sunglasses cannot be used in place of solar viewing glasses.

2) Use a pinhole camera

NASA has stated that using a pinhole camera allows you to safely view the progress of a solar eclipse and has provided directions for constructing a homemade pinhole camera using white paper, aluminum foil, and tape.

3) Watch a live stream video

NASA has also provided a live stream video link that allows you to safely watch the eclipse from inside.

CBS is also providing a free livestream. You can stream CBS News eclipse coverage for free on Monday, August 21. CBSN, CBS News' 24-hour online streaming platform, will begin coverage of the solar eclipse at 12 p.m. ET, followed by a CBS Special Report from 1 p.m. ET to 3 p.m. ET. The CBS Special Report will also be streamed on CBS News' Facebook page during the eclipse.

Space.com has put together this guide to the solar eclipse and offer additional viewing tips.

A few final safety tips:

NASA recommends avoiding homemade filters. NEVER look at the sun through binoculars, a telescope or a camera lens without a solar filter, or using a homemade filter -- the magnified light can damage your eyes faster than looking at the sun unaided.

Damage from viewing the eclipse without proper eye protection may not be noticeable right away, but could make seeing difficult the next day and may result in long-term or permanent eye damage.

Those who expect to be outside for an extended period of time should be sure to drink plenty of fluids and not leave children or pets unattended or in vehicles.  

Additional safety tips from NASA can be found here: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety.