School’s out for the solar eclipse. The coming annular solar eclipse visible across the U.S. on October 14 falls on a Saturday, meaning this is one for parents, not schools, to grapple with.
Whereas those inside a 125 mile-wide path through nine states in the U.S. Southwest will see a rare “ring of fire” annulus, or halo around the new moon, everyone in the Americas will see a significant partial solar eclipse.
That means everyone needs solar eclipse glasses to safely watch any part of the event. You might even be able to get free solar eclipse glasses.
“This eclipse is actually easier to deal with because it’s not on a school day,” said Dr. Ralph Chou, the world’s leading expert on eclipse eye safety, in an interview. “Regardless of the age of the child, parents are going to theoretically be on hand on Saturday morning to keep an eye on the kids and supervise them as they look at the the eclipse.”
How To Keep Kids Engaged During The Solar Eclipse
Many kids will already know about this eclipse—and America’s total solar eclipse on April 8—because the SEAL Project also has a component working with science teachers through the National Science Teaching Association.
“Science teachers around the country will be preparing their students ahead of the two eclipses and sending home materials about the two sky events to families,” said Andrew Fraknoi, an astronomer at the Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco involved with SEAL, in an email. “Check with your kids’ school to see if there is a teacher who is engaged in eclipse preparation.”
The SEAL website also has a library of activities, some of which require little material, and could be done by families—such as shadow tracing, eclipse chalk art and making a safe pinhole viewer. Fraknoi has compiled a set of free moon, sun and eclipse activities available online for teachers and education leaders.
How To Keep Kids Safe During The Solar Eclipse
Obviously, you need eclipse glasses—though one pair between a group is fine.
If you struggle to find any (they cost about $5 each from science museums, planetariums, some local stores) you might want to try the local library. About five million pairs are being distributed for free to 13,000 libraries across the U.S. as part of the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) project. This interactive map will help you find your nearest participating library.
“Parents need to know that kids have to be very carefully supervised to only look at that eclipse through solar eclipse glasses,” said Chou. “They’ve got to make sure the glasses are properly on.”
Part of that means making sure the width of the glasses is correct. Select the pre-scored lines on either side of the cardboard frame and bend them into shape.
How Long Kids Should Look At The Eclipse
How long kids can look at the eclipse isn’t important. “They can look as long as they want to—as long as they can tolerate it—because the glasses are perfectly safe,” said Chou.
He adds that you also don’t need to hold them in place—they’re not going to fall off. “But they should never take the glasses off to look at the sun,” said Chou.
How To Put On Solar Eclipse Glasses
However, there is a proper way of putting solar eclipse glasses on so you don’t get dazzled. “It’s important to be looking down as you put them on, then look up at the eclipse, then once you’re done, look down before you remove the glasses,” said Chou.
It’s also wise to wear a wide-brimmed hat, just to add an extra way of keeping the sun out of eyes.
Some people also like to embed solar eclipse glasses in a paper plate, creating a face mask. That’s a good idea—it also prevents sunburn—but don’t be tempted to add elastic to keep them in place. “The material in solar eclipse glasses cuts off light—it’s essentially a blindfold—so you don’t want to be walking around with them on,” said Chou.
I’m an expert on eclipses—the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. For the very latest on the “ring of fire” solar eclipse check my main feed for new articles each day this week.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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