NASA gives tips for safety on eclipse day & optometrist gives insight on eye protection
We are just days away from a historic celestial event, a total eclipse of the sun. The upcoming eclipse of the sun is set to occur on April 8th, with over 31 million people from Texas to Maine expected to see it in the prime location. The importance of eye protection is to ensure that the glasses you plan to wear are authentic and ISO-protected, meaning they offer 99.9% protection. Make sure that these glasses are not intended to be worn outside of the eclipse. NASA research scientist, Noah Petro, has advised that NASA's research scientist for the safety of these safety lens glasses. Not to look directly at the sun during the eclipse, even if it's cloudy, NASA recommends using these glasses even if the weather is forecasted to be cloudy. Several businesses are giving away free eclipse viewing glasses for free.
Published : 4 weeks ago by CJ Maclin, https://www.facebook.com/NewsChannel8Tulsa/ in Science
We are just days away from a historic celestial event, a total eclipse of the sun.
On April 8th more than 31 million people from Texas to Maine will be in the prime location to experience this suntastic event.
To prepare, Oklahomans will need solar eclipse glasses, but how do you know if the glasses are official?
NewsChannel 8 sat down with an optometrist to get the answer.
“What makes these kind of unique, is that they have specific UV protection that our normal sunglasses don’t have. If you look at the label. They're ISO-protected. Any type of glasses that you look for, look for the ISO 12312-2 filter,” said Optometrist, Dr. Kayla Martin.
ISO means those glasses are regulated for this type of event offering 99.9% protection.
That’s how you can verify that the glasses you are planning to wear will protect you from the rays that come from the solar eclipse.
But even more important is to make sure you are wearing these glasses if you plan to be outside the eclipse.
“They are absolutely critical. I’ve got my glasses on right now I cannot see you, I cannot see the bright studio lights, the only light that comes through these glasses is a dim version of a light from the sun. That becomes a safe way to enjoy the sun. You should never look directly at the sun. Even if you have really great fancy sunglasses that you got for your birthday. They're not going to cut it. You need these safety lens glasses,” said NASA research scientist, Noah Petro.
And if you think the forecast for clouds next week means you can skip protecting your eyes during the eclipse. Think again.
“Even if it’s cloudy, you still want to use this if you're looking toward the sun," said Petro. "This is going to be an astronomical event. You want to look at the sun. So, you want to do so safely.”
NewsChannel 8 was also informed by Dr. Martin to not take pictures on your phone without those glasses or view the eclipse in a telescope without a filter.
So where can you find these critical glasses?
Several businesses are giving them away for free, including, all MyEyeDr. locations, Warby Parker locations in Oklahoma, and U.S. Cellular says it will provide eclipse viewing glasses on April 6 and 7 at its locations.
Topics: Space, NASA