On April 8 Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse in some locations. Fifteen states will be in the path of a total solar eclipse and the entire nation should see at least a partial eclipse. While this will be the first total solar eclipse in the U.S. in seven years, for an individual geographic location it only occurs every 375 years on average. The event we will experience is rare enough that experts began writing about it three years ago!
The eclipse path will arc from Texas to Maine. While the Cincinnati area won’t be in the path for full totality, we will experience an almost total eclipse. It will begin at 1:52 p.m. and end at 4:24 p.m. with our closest point to totality occurring at 3:09 p.m., lasting 4 minutes and 28 seconds. Even nature will take notice: shadows will look different, the sky will darken, birds may not chirp and breezes may stop. The temperature could drop by 10 to 15 degrees.
IS SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO VIEW AN ECLIPSE?
While a person could see an eclipse without any visual aids, it is not safe to do so. With part of the sun blocked, it will actually be easier to look at the sun than on a normal day, but therein lies the danger. Being easier to look at may make it seem safer to stare, but that can cause severe temporary or permanent damage to the back of the eye.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO THE EYE IF YOU VIEW AN ECLIPSE WITHOUT PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR?
According to Dr. Ted Snyder of Mason Eye Center, “Even though it may seem easier to look at an eclipse without protection, the sun rays coming around the moon are still very powerful - powerful enough to burn a hole in the retina at the back of the eye.” Dr. Snyder has seen patients with eclipse damage, including a child who had such a large hole in his retina that the smallest letter he could see was 20/400. For comparison, the top line on an eye chart is 20/200. “For him, the damage was permanent. It is similar to holding a magnifying glass in the sun over a piece of paper and burning a hole in it,” explains Dr. Snyder.
HOW TO SAFELY VIEW THE ECLIPSE
Look for special eclipse glasses with a certification of ISO 12312-2 (international safety standard for filters for direct viewing of the sun). These are available online and at some retailers. Sunglasses are not a safe way to view the eclipse. Eclipse glasses are available locally at Mason Eye Center for $3.
