2017 Solar Eclipse

Prepare for the solar eclipse of Monday, August 21, 2017.

All of North America will see a partial solar eclipse, and a narrow swath from Oregon to South Carolina will experience a total solar eclipse.  This will likely be the most observed celestial event in US history.  Make your plans now.

Links

NOTE: See PDF of this original page for substantial eclipse links. 
(Web host disabled "List" feature in 2020.)

Eye Safety

NOTE: See PDF of this original page for substantial eye safety links. 
(Web host disabled "List" feature in 2020.)
Safe Viewing Summary

Video courtesy of Exploratorium

Dr. Paul Doherty of the Exploratorium introduces four basic solar viewing techniques in video at http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/video/safe-viewing-techniques.    More Exploratorium videos are here.

Chuck's Eclipse Blog Posts

www.nightwise.org/blog/tag/solar%20eclipse

Future Eclipses-USA

Map courtesy of Michael Zeiler, www.GreatAmericanEclipse.com

From the Mr. Eclipse Eclipse Primer:

 

"The last total solar eclipse visible from the continental U.S.A. occured on Feb. 26, 1979. A total solar eclipse was visible from Hawaii and Mexico on July 11, 1991. The next two total solar eclipses visible from the U.S.A. occur on Aug. 21, 2017 and Apr. 8, 2024."

Future Eclipses-Global

Future total solar eclipses are mapped by Michael Zeiler and cataloged through 2100 by Fred Espenak, including:

Map courtesy of Michael Zeiler, www.GreatAmericanEclipse.com

Map courtesy of Michael Zeiler, www.GreatAmericanEclipse.com

Handout: View Safely

 

For a list of reputable vendors,

see https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters. 

Eclipse Weather

National Weather Service

South Bend, IN

First Contact:            12:57 PM

Maximum Eclipse:   2:22 PM

Last Contact:             3:44 PM

Eclipse Flyover

Video courtesy of Eclipse2017.org.

Disclaimer:

Looking at the sun can be dangerous, but it can be done.  Follow the safety precautions described in these links.  I am not responsible for any injuries resulting from your observing the sun.  You are responsible for your own safety.

 

What I said in 2004 and 2012 for observing the transit of Venus.

 

And  what they said at eclipse2017.org:

http://www.eclipse2017.org/eclipse2017_eye%20safety.htm.

Background image excerpted from: 

Dionysius the Areopagite Converting

the Pagan Philosophers

Antoine Caron

French, 1521-1599

Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Sun Funnels

 

The Sun Funnel is a telescope accessory that allows a group of people to observe a magnified image of the sun safely. 

 

Instructions to Build a Sun Funnel, updated for the 2017 eclipse by Rick Fienberg, includes images,  tips, and precautions. 

 

See video for introduction of 3D-printed version of the Sun Funnel .  Additional tips are at my Sun Funnel page.

 

Try these .stl files for 3D printing, courtesy of Adler Planetarium:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fxvdekmf6y3h4it/AACOi-ZNcX0ZOEhz4oG4V-5Ya?dl=0

Watch short video about Sun Funnels...

Circumstances for South Bend, IN

First Contact:            12:57 PM

Maximum Eclipse:   2:22 PM

Last Contact:             3:44 PM

Map courtesy of  Xavier Jubier

Español

NASA's eclipse website is at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/español. 

 

From SkyandTelescope.com,  a series of videos in English and Spanish introduces the solar eclipse.